Taopiphop returns to politics as People’s Party replacement candidate

The People’s Party nominated a former MP, known for his unsuccessful push for liquor liberalisation, as its new candidate for a Bangkok constituency today, replacing a previous nominee who resigned after being arrested for alleged involvement in money laundering.

As he registered his candidacy, Taopiphop Limjittrakorn, who has twice served as a Bangkok MP, said that he is prepared to face criticism for backtracking on his vow not to run again for a parliamentary seat.

“I decided in eight seconds to accept my party’s decision for me to run for a Bangkok parliamentary seat in the upcoming election. I know that I will be branded as having betrayed my promise not to do it anymore. I’m ready for that,” he said.

Taopiphop will contest Bangkok Constituency 33, which covers Bang Phlat and Bangkok Noi, replacing Boonyarit Raorungrot, who was taken into police custody on Tuesday on an arrest warrant linked to a money laundering investigation.

The new candidate says he feels honoured that a unanimous vote, at the party’s primary election meeting yesterday, had endorsed him.

“My mission is not just about Bangkok Noi or Bang Phlat. It is a mission of the People’s Party nationwide to reclaim public trust… The party believes I am suitable to help in restoring that trust and that is why I accepted this responsibility,” Taopiphop said

With the registration period for constituency candidates ending tomorrow, he said there was no room for hesitation, prompting him to make a quick decision.

Before entering politics, Taopiphop owned a craft beer business. In 2017, he was convicted of violating liquor laws for operating without a licence and was given a suspended jail sentence and fined 5,500 baht.

During his terms as a Bangkok MP, his signature political initiative was a bill to liberalise Thailand’s liquor laws.

The proposal sought to lower barriers for small producers, remove excessive minimum production requirements and reduce the oligopoly’s domination of the beer and spirits market.

In October 2024, however, the House of Representatives voted the bill down, prompting Taopiphop to announce that he would not seek re-election in future polls.

Meanwhile, People’s Party executive member Phicharn Chaowapatanawong said that many people had expressed interest in replacing the former nominee, but time constraints ahead of the December 31st registration deadline limited the party’s ability to vet new applicants thoroughly.