7-1-2025 (BANGKOK) Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has firmly ruled out a return to the nation’s top political office, declaring his support for his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, whilst outlining ambitious plans to tackle Thailand’s economic challenges.
Speaking at a local campaign rally in Chiang Rai, the elder Shinawatra unveiled plans to reduce electricity costs to 3.70 baht per unit by 2025, as part of a broader initiative to ease the cost of living burden on Thai citizens.
The former premier, addressing supporters at a campaign event for Pheu Thai candidate Salakjit Tiyapairat, acknowledged the nation’s mounting public debt crisis, indicating that his party has requested a two-year window to address the issue.
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In a candid assessment of Thailand’s bureaucratic challenges, Thaksin highlighted the need to improve efficiency across public services. He revealed ongoing discussions with civil servants aimed at boosting productivity and achieving government objectives.
“The government is actively working to streamline operations and enhance public service delivery,” Thaksin stated, outlining three primary goals for 2025: combating drug trafficking, eliminating fraudulent call centre operations, and breaking up monopolies to reduce living costs.
When supporters called for his return to the premiership, the former leader dismissed such suggestions, citing his age as a factor. “It’s time for the younger generation to take the helm,” he remarked, adding that his current lifestyle away from direct political leadership, with personal wealth of 60 billion baht, was more comfortable.
The rally also highlighted the deep-rooted political connections within Thai politics, with candidate Salakjit Tiyapairat being both the wife of former House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat, a key Thaksin ally in northern Thailand, and mother to current Pheu Thai MP Piyarat Tiyapairat.
