In a surprising turn of events, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been chosen as the Pheu Thai Party’s candidate for Thailand’s next prime minister. The decision, made by the party’s executive board on Thursday, comes after a dramatic series of political manoeuvres and legal challenges.
The nomination of Paetongtarn represents a shift from earlier expectations, as party members initially favoured Chaikasem Nitisiri, a former attorney-general with close ties to Thaksin Shinawatra. However, in a morning meeting at Parliament, Pheu Thai MPs voted decisively for Paetongtarn, citing her youth and robust health as key factors in their decision.
This unexpected development follows Wednesday’s Constitutional Court ruling that removed Srettha Thavisin from the prime ministerial position due to integrity concerns. The court’s decision, reached by a narrow 5-4 vote, has thrown Thai politics into a state of flux, necessitating a swift response from Pheu Thai.
Sources within the party suggest that while Thaksin Shinawatra himself preferred Chaikasem for the role, citing the latter’s assistance during Thaksin’s legal troubles, the party’s MPs had other ideas. Concerns over Chaikasem’s health and the potential for further legal challenges appear to have swayed the vote in Paetongtarn’s favour.
The choice of Paetongtarn is not without its political calculations. Her selection may help to placate key coalition partners, including the Bhumjaithai and United Thai Nation parties, who have pledged their support for Pheu Thai’s nominee on the condition that the candidate does not advocate for amending Article 112, the controversial lese-majeste law. Chaikasem’s previous statements supporting such amendments may have worked against his candidacy.
