BANGKOK — The name Thaksin Shinawatra remains a significant and persistent political issue, even though Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s government has completed the political formalities of taking office and has begun governing. This is particularly evident in the face of immediate challenges such as natural disasters in the North and Northeast regions.
Paetongtarn’s government started with positive signals, winning two consecutive local elections: in Ratchaburi province, where their supported candidate won the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) chief position, and in a by-election in Phitsanulok Province, where the Pheu Thai Party defeated the People Party.
However, Prime Minister Paetongtarn continues to face challenges from complainants, a continuation from Srettha Thavisin’s tenure as prime minister.
Paetongtarn has had more than 10 petitions filed against her, ranging from allegations about ministerial appointments to minor issues like making a mini-heart gesture while wearing formal white attire during the cabinet group photo. Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party faces a petition from an anonymous individual calling for its dissolution, accusing the party of allowing former PM Thaksin to dominate it.
The latest issue raised by reporters is the perception that Thaksin is behind the appointment of Phumtham Wechayachai, a trusted aide of Thaksin and a former senior-ranking communist insurgent, as Defence Minister. Phumtham then appointed General Traisak Intrarat, Thaksin’s classmate from military preparatory school, to his team.
This move is seen as Thaksin’s attempt to take revenge against the armed forces which staged two coups against the Pheu Thai government, first against Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006 and then again in 2014 against Yingluck Shinawatra, his sister.
On September 16, Defence Minister Phumtham responded to this question after his first day at the Ministry of Defence, stating that the reality is not as speculated. He said that the coups happened long ago, and this government’s focus is now on solving the country’s crises.
“Please don’t worry. I’m ready to work comfortably with the armed forces. I’m 1000% confident that we can cooperate with various military branches with mutual respect, accepting our differences, and finding good conclusions in working together,” Phumtham said.
Beyond the external pressures, Thaksin is periodically mentioned in parliamentary debates, including during the government policy debate last week.
Thaksin was criticized on various issues, both his past performance and ideas linked to current government policies, such as drugs, conflicts in Muslim communities in Thailand’s southernmost region, economic issues, and entertainment complexes, etc.
Opposition leader Nattapong Ruangpanyawut referred to this government as a “three-boss government”: the big boss (referring to Thaksin), the capitalist boss (referring to large business groups), and the broker boss (referring to groups negotiating power and resources).
Other parliament members used sarcastic language about the father-daughter relationship between Thaksin and Paetongtarn, comparing Paetongtarn to a kindergartener dropped off at school by her father, or to the moon waiting for light from the sun.
The female Prime Minister responded by calling for the opposition to engage in constructive debate, not creating hate speech that causes social division, making them seem like a “vengeful side.”
“This is not an election campaign period. We don’t need to create such things to cause misunderstandings. We need to see the bigger picture of the country rather than our own image,” she said.
Meanwhile, Pita Limjaroenrat, former leader of the Move Forward Party, argued that the People Party and Pheu Thai Party are rivals, not enemies. He then made a pointed remark that even the Democrat Party, which had been an enemy for the past 20 years, was brought into the government by Pheu Thai because the elites have reconciled.
This statement is another rhetorical device referring to Thaksin, whom both conservatives and progressives believe is behind Prime Minister Paetongtarn’s political moves.
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