But the next challenge for the party is getting permission from the ruling junta, to whom they have publicly declared opposition, allowing them to hold a meeting formally kick-starting its political life.

“I don’t expect any problem ahead. Founding a party is the people’s fundamental right,” said Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, one of party’s key founders and former law lecturer. “The EC is only assigned to approve our requesting documents, not deciding whether we can found a party or not.”

Piyabutr said the party has prepared everything for a meeting set for May 27, at which they are planning to collect Bt1 million in seeding fund, gain at least 500 members and elect the party’s board executive as required under the organic law on political parties.

Those tasks, also as required by that law, must be completed by all parties within 180 days after they filed a party-founding request to the EC.

Failing to do so would prevent the party from legal recognition.

The Future Forward Party now has over four months to complete those tasks, since they filed their request on March 15.

But those steps can proceed only if the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) approves their first meeting as required under NCPO order No 53/2017, which exempts new parties from the NCPO’s political gathering ban but only on case-by-case basis.

“But it’s not only the first meeting that we should be allowed to hold,” Piyabutr said. “There would be many things to prepare ahead of the election, such as campaigning and the primary voting procedure.

“The NCPO always encourages new parties in the political arena. There is no reason for them to hinder us new-born parties,” he said. “And not all new parties come to support the NCPO.”

Piyabutr and another key co-founder of the party, Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, also filed a letter to the EC on April 9 that asked for an update on the approval process, along with a request for the NCPO to revoke all orders that obstruct political movements.

Thanathorn, meanwhile, added that he supported some politicians who have agreed to work with the junta government. “This will clarify their stances for the public about whether they support the NCPO or democracy,” the tycoon said.

“Parties should also more clearly declare whether they support an ‘outsider’ PM and also the NCPO’s post-election power,” Piyabutr added.

Four other parties in addition to Future Forward, have recently received approval to prepare for registration, said EC acting secretary-general Jarungwit Phumma. Of the 99 parties seeking the registration, 20 parties have so far been approved, he said.