KUALA LUMPUR – Members of Thailand’s Pheu Thai have unanimously endorsed party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, as their candidate for the next prime minister, according to senior party officials today.
Paetongtarn, the daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was chosen following a brief meeting held by the MPs in Parliament just after 10am, as reported by The Nation.
Sorawong Thienthong, the party’s secretary-general, confirmed that the MPs’ decision will now be forwarded to the party’s executive board.
The board will make the final decision on who to nominate to fill the vacancy left by Srettha Thavisin, who was ousted from the prime minister’s office yesterday.
Paetongtarn is the second candidate on Pheu Thai’s list, following Srettha. The other candidate being considered is Chaikasem Nitisiri.
Srettha was removed from office by the Constitutional Court after being found guilty of violating ethical standards. The court ruled that his appointment of Pichit Chuenban as PM’s Office minister was unlawful due to Pichit’s past conviction, which included a six-month jail term for contempt of court.
Sorawong said that the Pheu Thai executive board would deliberate on the MPs’ recommendation before making a final decision on the preferred candidate later today.
When questioned about potential legal issues should Chaikasem be chosen, Sorawong emphasised that the party’s executives would thoroughly evaluate the qualifications of their nominees.
Chaikasem, while serving as attorney-general, had previously ordered prosecutors to drop bribery charges against Pichit.
In response to inquiries about the coalition’s main partner, Bhumjaithai Party, potentially challenging Pheu Thai for the PM’s position, Sorawong assured that Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul had committed to supporting Pheu Thai in its second attempt to form a government.
Wisut Chainarun, a Pheu Thai party-list MP, told reporters after the meeting that a new prime minister would undoubtedly be elected at 10am tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s largest opposition group, the People’s Party, has announced it will not support the ruling coalition’s prime ministerial candidate in tomorrow’s vote, according to party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, as reported by Sputnik.
Natthaphong, quoted by the Thairath newspaper, said: “The People’s Party’s faction, which is the largest parliamentary faction, will continue to lead the parliamentary opposition and will not support the ruling coalition in the prime ministerial election at Friday’s parliamentary session,”
The People’s Party, which succeeded the progressive Move Forward Party following its dissolution by a constitutional court ruling, remains the largest faction in the lower House with 143 members, despite losing several lawmakers.
The court ruling also banned the former leaders of Move Forward from any political activity for 10 years.
Parliamentary factions are expected to confirm their nominees for the prime minister’s post on Thursday, with the first candidate from the ruling coalition to be voted on in Friday’s parliamentary session. The People’s Party has yet to nominate its candidate. – August 15, 2024