However, opposition MP Tisana Choonhavan and veteran soldier Prawit Wongsuwon dismissed as fallen actors.
PUBLISHED: 26 Dec 2024 at 20: 35
No Thai legislator has been chosen as a rising celebrity by the media professionals who cover politics for a fourth consecutive year, claiming no one has been given for praise.
But, Palang Pracharath Party leader Gen Prawit Wongsuwon and Tisana Choonhavan, a People’s Party MP, have both been dubbed fallen celebrities, or has-beens.
In a year-end tradition, political journalists come together each year to get names for politicians when referring to their successes, failures or controversies.
According to the reporters, Gen. Prawit, a former deputy prime minister and prominent member of the original Prayut Chan-o-cha program, is viewed as a political has-been due to his subpar legislative performance and Palang Pracharath leadership.
The 79-year-old former army captain is in poor health and often attends House sessions, so he gave up his six-figure quarterly earnings after receiving public criticism for his breaks.
Palang Pracharath was unable to meet its cupboard quota despite being a member of the following Srettha Thavisin coalition government.
Instead of the group of 20 MPs who allyed with the party, the latest Paetongtarn Shinawatra management received the quota.
Gen Prawit also had to permit their Klatham Party defection.
Ms Tisana, a daughter of the late prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan, arrived in congress with higher expectations.
But, she shocked audience members at a political debate by repeatedly citing incorrect statistics to back up her claim and without appearing to realize she had made a mistake.
Her and the People’s Party were accused on social media of being against the government’s policy of accepting Myanmar refugees ‘ position in Thailand, which was intended to demonstrate her pro-human right position.
Among other names awarded this year was the” Thengteng” moniker given to Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the opposition leader and commander of the Women’s Party.
Thengteng is a Thai phrase for floating endlessly, a guide to his understated command since the development of the Women’s Party after its prelude, Shift Forward, was dissolved.
As opposed to previous Move Forward head Pita Limjaroenrat, whose painting is still being used for canvassing in regional election campaigns, Mr Natthaphong, whose real name is Theng, is far less common and has failed to show solid leadership in parliament.
The “quote of the year”, meanwhile, was” ]We ] will make Thai people prosper and be honoured” which was delivered during the 2023 election campaign by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, say reporters.
The quote has found a new life as a cruel joke on social media whenever people complain about the unfavorable economic situation.