Thailand's Prime Minister Candidate Named as 'Former PM Thaksin's Daughter' Paetongtarn

Thailand has decided to nominate Paetongtarn Shinawatra (37), the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as the prime minister candidate to replace Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who stepped down following the Constitutional Court's dismissal decision. Paetongtarn is the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, the largest party in the current coalition government effectively controlled by former Prime Minister Thaksin.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to major foreign media on the 15th, the coalition parties, including the Pheu Thai Party, agreed to nominate Paetongtarn as the prime minister candidate on the same day.

Paetongtarn, a political newcomer who entered politics in 2021 after managing family-owned businesses, has been regarded as a key figure in the administration due to the backing of former Prime Minister Thaksin and has been mentioned as a strong candidate for the next prime minister.

Until the morning of the day, former Minister of Justice Chaikasem Nitisiri (76) was considered the leading candidate for the next prime minister. Local media reported that after the sudden dismissal of Prime Minister Srettha by the Constitutional Court ruling the previous day, coalition leaders held an emergency meeting and decided to nominate former Minister Chaikasem.

Although there was an interpretation that former Prime Minister Thaksin chose former Minister Chaikasem over his daughter considering the current political situation, the Pheu Thai Party members' general meeting held that day favored nominating Paetongtarn as the candidate.

Sources said that the members preferred the younger and healthier Paetongtarn over former Minister Chaikasem, who is known to be elderly and have health issues.

Former Minister Chaikasem is known to have exerted pressure on prosecutors in connection with the bribery case involving former Prime Minister's Office Minister Pichet Chuenban, which led to Prime Minister Srettha's dismissal.

The Thai Constitutional Court decided to dismiss Prime Minister Srettha the previous day, ruling that the appointment of Pichet, who was sentenced to prison for a bribery scandal, as a minister in the Prime Minister's Office violated constitutional ethics regulations.

To elect a prime minister, a majority of 247 votes out of 493 members of the House of Representatives is required. Currently, 314 members from 11 parties participating in the coalition government are present.

With major coalition parties such as Pheu Thai Party (141 seats), Phumjaithai Party (71 seats), Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP, 40 seats), and Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party (RTSC, 36 seats) declaring support for the Pheu Thai candidate, approval in the vote on the 16th is highly likely.