Spectators claim that the Sept. 22 local election rematch in Pathum Thani was a result of a flop due to a lack of support from a big party.
But, on a deeper level, why the party withdrew its aid in the first place was the real problem.
There were many twists and turns in the race for the chairmanship of the Pathum Thani Provincial Administrative Organization ( PAO ), demonstrating that there is no such thing as a sure bet in politics at any level.
When Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit Toopkrajang abruptly resigned as PAO main in earlier this year, he believed he had the best chance of winning a second word, the story began.
However, his plan was never destined to remain smooth sailing. A powerful find called Thaksin Shinawatra, a former top who the decision Pheu Thai Party deeply respected, stood in his way for re-election.
Previous city police commissioner Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit once served as Thaksin’s near advisor before quitting to do his attention in a telecom company that developed into a business empire.
He stepped into politics and made a significant impact as the Palang Dharma Party’s head with enormous resources and links. He eventually left the organization to discovered Thai Rak Thai, which was eventually disbanded due to political scams. The group therefore reincarnated into the Women’s Power Party, which was disbanded, even as a result of electoral fraud. From this fate, Pheu Thai was born.
While he was perfect minister, Thaksin left Thailand to enter the Beijing Olympics in 2008, shortly before the Supreme Court found him guilty of helping his then-wife, Khunying Potjaman, obtain primary territory on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok for a discount.
A resource said during Thaksin’s times in self-imposed captivity, his near relations with Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit became strained. The consequences is thought to have been the result of an alleged remark that Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit made to individuals in his group that Thaksin might have to spend the rest of his life in captivity, which suggests the original leader’s political career was well and truly around.
Therefore, Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit must have taken aback by Thaksin’s return to the country in August of last year. However, according to the source, Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit was reportedly one of the people who made the appearance to greet Thaksin, only to have received a rather frosty retort from the former premier.
When Thaksin sought the support of several powerful political scions in Pathum Thani to support Charn Phuangphet’s bid for the provincial chairmanship, it appeared to have turned into an entire enmity.
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit has been known to have a framed photo of Thaksin personally attaching an insignia to his uniform at an event to mark a promotion, despite the latter having been known to have the latter have been known to have produced a framed photo of Thaksin personally attaching an insignia to his uniform.
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit acknowledged that his chances of winning back in the PAO office as head of Pathum Thani’s were slim and would be a difficult task because they knew their broken relationship would never be resolved.
Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit, who registered his candidacy under the Khon Rak Pathum ( Love Pathum ) group, also expected the June 30 PAO election between him and Mr Charn would be tight.
This proved prophetic, as Mr. Charn won the election with only 2, 000 votes.
But the victory was short-lived. Following a complaint that Mr. Charn had thrown a party and provided entertainment for voters during the campaign, the Election Commission (EC ) ordered a rerun in violation of EC law.
In the re-run, though, the Pheu Thai logo was missing from Mr Charn’s rally stages. It was apparent the ruling party’s support for him in the Sept 22 election would not be forthcoming.
Mr. Charn lacked any support for his victory. But when the backing of Pheu Thai-affiliated families disappeared, the chances of victory were not stacked in his favour.
He insisted that despite his continuing devotion to the party, it was he who was keeping his distance from Pheu Thai.
The unofficial poll results confirmed that Pol Lt Gen Kamronwit bagged 187, 975 votes, edging out Mr Charn, who received 120, 007. Voter turnout was low, reportedly below 40 %.
Mr. Charn said he gave Pheu Thai a wide berth after conceding defeat because he did not want the party to be impacted by the re-run campaign.
His defeat is primarily attributable to a provincial election order that was issued shortly after the initial election on June 30.
Mr. Charn received a suspension because he was involved in a corruption trial over the questionable distribution of relief funds while he was PAO chairman more than ten years ago.
According to the source, it was unclear whether Pheu Thai had abandoned Mr. Charn or the other way around.
Pheu Thai was reportedly concerned about supporting Mr. Charn in the re-run, despite the source’s assertions.
Pheu Thai has experienced the full and swift enforcement of the ethics law invoked to keep political postholders ‘ conduct in check since the Constitutional Court removed Srettha Thavisin as premier over his appointment of ex-convict Pichit Chuenban as a cabinet minister.
The ruling party might, after weighing up the risks, have decided against endorsing Mr Charn in the re-run. By backing a candidate who was in danger of facing a crime, the party would have been subject to a complaint from the organization accusing it of breaking the ethics law.
If Mr. Charn had been on the party’s ticket, it might have been in danger of losing its own future.
Newin: Clout has grown
Thailand’s key influencers
Given their long political history, a recent meeting between former premier Thaksin Shinawatra and co-founder of the Bhumjaithai Party, Newin Chidchob, undoubtedly piqued public interest and sparked speculation.
Both candidates claim to have left politics, but their influence within their respective parties is still significant. While Mr. Newin is thought to play a similar role in Bhumjaithai, he is frequently referred to as khru yai ( principal ), Thaksin is regarded as Pheu Thai’s big boss.
The meeting, which took place on Oct 6 at Thaksin’s Chan Songla residence on Charan Sanitwong Road in Bangkok, coincided with talks about a possible power-sharing deal between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai.
According to the theory, Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who will succeed Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Thaksin’s youngest daughter, may have reached a deal with both parties.
Mr. Anutin denied that the conversation involved political bargaining, saying that he had invited Mr. Newin to dinner with Thaksin after initially defying the meeting’s assertions. The Bhumjaithai leader also declined to provide any additional information about the meeting, citing the ex-premier’s gift of a jacket to Mr. Newin.
Most political pundits believe that the days of the Buri Ram strongman accepting orders from Thaksin are long gone, regardless of whether such a deal is made or not.
Their relationship has changed considerably since Mr Newin, an astute power broker, led a faction of MPs to break away from the People’s Power Party, a successor of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party founded by Thaksin, according to observers.
The Buri Ram politician at the time shifted allegiance and played a key role in the democrats ‘ rise to win the title of prime minister in 2009, Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Mr. Newin made the decision to forgo politics and focus instead on the sport world years ago, but he is regarded as a co-founder of Bhumjaithai and a figurehead for the party’s steady rise. When he speaks, everyone in Bhumjaithai listens.
Thanaporn Sriyakul, the director of the Political and Public Policy Analysis Institute, is certain that Mr. Newin will no longer play second fiddle to Thaksin and carry out his goals. Their relationship is one of equals.
In his opinion, Mr Newin’s clout has grown, especially since the Senate election. Up to 160 senators are thought to be allied to the blue camp, and the 200-member Senate is believed to be dominated by the blue faction, a term that refers to affiliations with Bhumjaithai.
Although it has no authority to choose a prime minister, it is believed that Mr. Newin can use the Senate’s influence to support the establishment’s charter amendments and support for members of public independent organizations. For any charter amendment to pass, one-third of the Senate’s support is required.
The ruling Pheu Thai Party, in the eyes of Mr. Thanaporn, is using resources to derail the PPRP, which is allegedly pursuing Ms. Paetongtarn and Pheu Thai after being removed from power.
Despite the fact that they both served jail sentences, the most recent petition filed by political activist Ruangkrai Leekitwattana challenges Ms. Paetongtarn’s ethics following her appointment of Surapong Suebwonglee and Nattawut Saikuar as advisers.
Surapong, a former finance minister, and Nattawut, a former director of the Pheu Thai family, were previously sentenced by the Supreme Court. On September 16 and October 4, the premier appoints them as her advisors.
However, Mr Thanaporn does not believe these complaints can do serious harm to the prime minister and Pheu Thai had better focus on the main opposition People’s Party, which won last year’s general election, and keep a close eye on Bhumjaithai.
Bhumjaithai is a coalition partner and serves in the Ms. Paetongtarn-led government, but it continues to face political rivalry in elections. According to the political analyst, Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai will undoubtedly battle it out for House seats.
Pheu Thai must take steps to prevent the Bhumjaithai Party from becoming a drag in the Senate and the House, he said.
Mr. Thanaporn noted that targeting Bhumjaithai, the Interior Ministry’s administrator, is not difficult at all because the ministry is in charge of all administrative affairs nationwide. If the ruling party can expose faults in Bhumjaithai, it could sour a relationship between Bhumjaithai and Mr. Newin.
He argued that bitter infighting between coalition parties was a common practice in politics, especially when several parties are involved. Previous administrations led by Gen Prem Tinasulanonda, Chatichai Choonhavan, and Chuan Leekpai had such instances of bitter infighting.