Friends of Newin Group
The Friends of Newin Group that he and his group would vote for Abhisit for prime minister, thereby crossing the aisle. It is alleged that Army commander and co-leader of the 2006 coup, General Anupong Paochinda, coerced the MPs of the Friends of Newin Group to endorse a Democrat Party-led coalition, which would secure enough parliamentary votes to allow Abhisit to be elected prime minister On December 13, Thaksin Shinawatra, Newin's former boss and benefactor, in a recorded message played at a National [United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship] rally, blasted the group as 'traitors and betrayers of the people.' On December 15, 235 MPs in the House of Representatives voted for Abhisit versus 198
votes for Pracha Promnok endorsed by the pro-Thaksin party, Pheu Thai Party. Abhisit, leader of the Democrat Party, became the new prime minister. Thereafter, the MPs of the Friends of Newin Group founded the Bhumjaithai Party.
Members
The Bhumjai Thai Party, where the former Friends of Newin MPs are now, has about 32 members in the House of Representatives in 2011:- Ransri Timatoka
- Monchai Chatwattanasiri
- Prasit Tangsrikiartikul
- Snong Thepauksonarong
- Sophon Saram
- Panya Sripanya
- Chakrin Pattanathamrongchit
- Apirom Polwiset
- Boonjong Wongthrairat
- Supachai Phosu
- Veera Rakkwamsuk
- Thevarit Nikorndej
- Chai Chidchob - Newin's father and President of the Parliament, Speaker of the House
- Permpoon Thongsiri
- Prutthichai Viriyaroj
- Pattana Sangsthram
- Chertchai Vicheinvan
- Thaweewat Ruthirachai
- Suchart Chokchaivatthanakarn
- Prachak Keawklahan
- Chatuphorn Chareonchue
- Vichien Udomsak
- Chaovarat Chanweerakul - former acting PM, not an MP