With his disarming good looks, pro-democracy activist and businessman Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit resembles an actor rather than a typical Thai politician. Heir to the country’s largest car manufacturer, he is blessed not only with personable charisma but also inexhaustible funds. His stunning rise into public consciousness is the beating heart of Aekaphong Saransate and Thanakrit Duangmaneeporn’s debut film, a thrilling documentary about an extraordinary political campaign that shook a nation.
As founder of the progressive Future Forward Party (FFP), Juangroongruangkit’s central message cut through the noise of electoral politics: secure a brighter future by correcting the wrongs of the past. Since the end of absolute monarchy in 1932, Thailand has undergone a never-ending cycle of military takeovers, including 12 coups. During its campaign in the 2019 general election, Juangroongruangkit’s party specifically reached out to those whose concerns often go unheard: students, working-class and rural voters. He also explicitly called for reform to the 2017 constitution, enacted by the military junta to deepen authoritarian rule.
The infectious energy of the FFP spread through all corners of Thai society; starting with social media, its incredible reach could be compared to the success of Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign. The FFP ended up with the third-most seats in parliament, a stunning result which was followed by an onslaught of court cases started by the ruling party.
Despite the setbacks, Juangroongruangkit frequently stresses that the movement is not led by one person, but by the people; it is thus a shame that much of the documentary appears centred on a cult of personality. As magnetic a subject as Juangroongruangkit is, the film would have been enriched by deeper, more specific analysis of his policies, as well as other figureheads in the FFP. Still, at a time when far-right rhetoric continues to grip electorates across the world, this is a vital reminder that progressive movements are also thriving on a global scale.