BANGKOK — The coalition government parties have moved quickly to nominate Paetongtarn Shinawatra the leader of the Pheu Thai Party, for the position of the 31st Prime Minister of Thailand, one day after Srettha Thavisin’s ministerial office was terminated by the Constitutional Court ruling.
They held a joint press conference on Thursday, August 15, at Shinawatra Tower 3 in Bangkok and reasoned that the country must move forward, despite regretting that Srettha Thavisin had to be removed from office.
“We are all ready to provide full support and cooperation, including being prepared to implement the policies of the incoming Prime Minister from the first day of their official appointment,” said Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of the Bhumjaithai Party.
Paetongtarn expressed her gratitude to the members of the Pheu Thai Party and the coalition government parties for choosing and supporting her nomination as the new Prime Minister.
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has called a special sitting of the House on Friday, August 16, to consider and confirm a suitable candidate for the post of Prime Minister under Section 159 of the Constitution, which essentially means that a new Prime Minister will be elected.
The vote of the next Prime Minister is conditional on the candidate being on the party’s list of candidates and having the support of at least 5 percent of MPs or more than 25 MPs.
There are currently seven eligible candidates from five political parties: Chaikasem Nitisiri and Paetongtarn Shinawatra from the Pheu Thai Party; Anutin Charnvirakul from the Bhumjaithai Party; Gen. Prawit Wongsuwan from the Palang Pracharath Party; Pirapan Salirathavibhaga and Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha from the United Thai Nation Party; and Jurin Laksanawisit from the Democrat Party.
Gen. Prayut was excluded from the election because he is currently a member of the Privy Council, as is Jurin, who belongs to the opposition.
On Wednesday, Srettha was removed from office after serving less than a year as Prime Minister. The Constitutional Court ruled that he had committed a serious ethical violation by appointing a Cabinet member who had been imprisoned for an alleged bribery attempt.
Initially on August 14, Paetongtarn’s name had not received attention because she was still in China and was not present at the meeting at Thaksin Shinawatra’s Chan Song La residence, where the most important ministers of the Pheu Thai Party and the coalition government gradually made their way to.
According to reports, Chaikasem, who was also at the meeting, might get the chance to become prime minister.
Suranand Vejjajiva, former minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and former secretary general of the Prime Minister’s Office, felt that Pheu Thai would probably choose Chaikasem first so that Paetongtarn could familiarize herself, as she has no experience in national administration or as an MP.
However, in the meeting of Pheu Thai Party MPs on August 15, the majority of votes went to Paetongtarn, who turns 38 next Wednesday. The reason given for this decision was that she is closer to the people as she campaigned alongside Srettha across the country, while Chaikasem is 75 years old, had health problems and withdrew from the campaign last year.
In addition, there were concerns about potential future problems, particularly in relation to Chaikasem’s earlier statement that the law on lèse majesté should be amended and and when he was the Attorney General, the prosector decided not to indict Phichit Chuenban, who was charged with attempting to bribe a court official.
In light of these concerns, the Pheu Thai board decided to nominate Paetongtarn for the post of 31st prime minister, while all coalition parties publicly declared their support for Pheu Thai’s candidate, regardless of who it would be.
Paetongtarn’s potential ascension to prime minister at the age of 37 – the same age as Nutthapong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party and new opposition leader – marks a new era in Thai politics..
She has to prove her capability as the country struggles to revitalize its economy. The public is keenly observing whether the partially implemented digital wallet stimulus program will proceed.
At the news conference with leaders of coalition government parties, Paetongtarn stated she will work to the best of her ability to help the country overcome the economic crisis. Regarding the Digital Wallet project, she said that whether it will continue or not depends on hearing opinions first.
She also responded to media questions, stating that she had consulted with her family, and it was understandable that her mother would be concerned about her. Everyone respects her decision. Her father, Thaksin, has always been advising her.
When reporters asked about her lunch with former Prime Minister Srettha on Thursday and whether they discussed this matter, she replied that he was also supportive of her nomination.
If the House of Representatives’ vote on 16 August goes as expected, Paetongtarn will be the fourth prime minister from the Shinawatra family, following her father Thaksin, her aunt Yingluck, and her uncle-in-law Somchai Wongsawat.
It is expected that she might face political challenges from conservative forces, many of whom have long been opposed to and even harbored hatred towards Thaksin, her father.
Moreover, these conservative forces have demonstrated their power through the dissolution of the Move Forward Party and the removal of Prime Minister Srettha. This underscores that executive power cannot function independently without amending the constitution, which is a legacy of the coup.
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