BANGKOK — Thai Prime Minister forcefully countered opposition claims during the second day of the no-confidence debate over former PM Thaksin’s 180-day hospital confinement instead of prison time. Opposition members alleged this preferential treatment stemmed from a “devil’s deal” when Pheu Thai formed a coalition with General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s faction.
On March 25, Rangsiman Rome, a core member of the People’s Party, used harsh language to attack both the Prime Minister and Thaksin, drawing multiple objections from Pheu Thai Party members.
During his speech, he outlined a timeline suggesting it was impossible for Thaksin, who appeared healthy while abroad, to suddenly fall seriously ill upon returning to Thailand, thus receiving special privileges to stay in hospital. He also pointed to contradictory evidence showing Thaksin’s youngest daughter traveling to ski in Japan while her father was supposedly in critical condition.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra rose to categorically reject the “devil’s deal” allegations, stating they were “100% untrue.” She emphasized that her father ranks among those in the country who have suffered the greatest injustice.
She countered the accusations by noting that when her father returned to Thailand last year, she was not yet Prime Minister and had no authority to direct any government officials. She added that even if the People’s Party had formed the government then, her father would still have returned. Regarding the royal pardon process, she stated it is the right of every prisoner and follows established procedures that she would not interfere with, but remains available to anyone with legal cases.
As for her father’s actual medical condition, which the opposition claimed was fake, she said no matter how she explained it, the opposition wouldn’t believe her, so she suggested waiting for the Medical Council’s investigation findings. She could only share her perspective as a daughter.
“Throughout the past 20 years in our country, everyone knows well the difficulties our fellow citizens have faced regarding justice. If you’re looking for someone who has faced injustice, Thaksin is among the top who have received unfair treatment. He was not only stripped of political power but also had his assets frozen and faced multiple assassination attempts,” she stated.
The Prime Minister recalled that she was just 18 years old and still in university when these events unfolded. Communication tools weren’t as advanced as they are today, so when news broke, she had to wait to learn what had happened to her father. This wasn’t a one-time occurrence but happened repeatedly.
She mentioned visiting her father abroad while pregnant with her first child during the COVID pandemic, when travel was difficult and vaccines weren’t yet available. These were painful family experiences.
“As a daughter, I naturally worry because I love my father. I am 100% a daddy’s girl,” Paetongtarn said. “Throughout the debate, some members have called for me to resign as Prime Minister, which is within their rights. But one thing they cannot do is ask me to resign from being a daughter or a mother,” said Paetongtarn.
The PM is expected to survive her first no-confidence vote on Wednesday supported by her ruling coalition which commands a majority in the House of Representatives.
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