Comments made after the PAO surveys didn’t go as planned
PUBLISHED: 8 Feb 2025 at 05: 55
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed that he may have lost his “political magic,” that he is very old, and that some younger people does not recognize his accomplishments from the history.
He did, however, claim that he backed Pheu Thai’s ability to win at least 200 House votes in the 2027 general election.
Some political analysts have questioned whether Thaksin’s political leadership was still strong after the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s de facto leader, Thaksin, had anticipated that the party’s de facto leader would not have won as many provinces in the provincial administration organization ( PAO ) elections on February 1.
In addition, Thaksin ran for Pheu Thai individuals in many regions ‘ elections.
While the Bhumjaithai Party, a member of the coalition government, performed better than expected in the primaries, Pheu Thai and Thaksin appeared to have lost control of some districts in the North and Northeast, which were once group strongholds.
Pheu Thai individuals secured the administration of 10 municipal operational companies, while prospects affiliated with the party won six, followed by Bhumjaithai, which took 14.
Despite fielding prospects in 17, the People’s Party just managed to win one province, Lamphun.
Asked whether he may have lost “his political magic”, Thaksin said:” I don’t have any]political ] magic. I am 76. Most individuals aged below 40 could remember my successes”, Thaksin said.
” But they will start to understand eventually. Phuket remained to win some seats. However, there were a dozen regions where the results weren’t what we had anticipated. But nevertheless, we did not miss the goal by too much”, Thaksin said.
Asked if Pheu Thai would be able to establish a single-party government, Thaksin said,” We don’t want to become a single-party government. It is not great if we don’t own friends. We need companions. But too many of them may produce a headache”.
But, Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at King Prajadhipok’s Institute, said that Pheu Thai, which had the support of Thaksin, was still difficult to contend with in the PAO elections, especially in the Northeast.
Additionally, just elected Pheu Thai PAO chiefs are expected to receive the government’s total support, according to Mr. Stithorn, to enable them to boost the local economy.
According to Mr. Stithorn,” the ten counties won by Pheu Thai in the PAO votes remain a significant benefit for the ruling gathering.”
According to spectators, political parties view the elections as an opportunity to form partnerships with regional political clans and expand their aid bases for the 2027 general election.
Following its election defeat to the now-dissolved Move Forward Party ( MFP), Mr. Stithorn stated that it will still be difficult for Pheu Thai to win back a political foothold in Chiang Mai in the upcoming general election.