Premier downplays the conflict between the Bhumjaithai.
PUBLISHED: 29 Jan 2025 at 04: 52
The provincial administrative organization ( PAO ) elections in 47 provinces on February 1 will be fiercely contested, according to Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Tuesday.
Individuals from the ruling party will still be able to help the public after the election, Ms. Paetongtarn said after the government meet at Government House.
Asked if severe campaigning ahead of the elections, especially in the Northeast, between the two parties may destroy the partnership, the top likened the polls to a sports competition.
” When the contest ends, one doesn’t actually have to like the other candidates. I personally don’t love people… Every celebration has the right to subject candidates, and they have to be completely devoted to campaigning”, Ms Paetongtarn said.
According to several sources, her father, former top Thaksin Shinawatra, may also travel to the Northeast’s regions, where the group has lost to Bhumjaithai in recent years.
Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai, and the People’s Party ( PP ) are all hoping the polls will help them fill the positions left vacant by PAO presidents who have completed their terms.
Prior to their expiration on December 19, some PAO presidents in different provinces resigned, which prompted the requirement for earlier elections within 60 days. Leaders may elect candidates within 45 days to complete their terms.
The parties see the results of the surveys as a chance to form partnerships with local social groups and increase their support for the 2027 general election.
Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of Bhumjaithai and interior minister, dismissed concern that tense election campaigns between Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai candidates may strain ties.
He made reference to Thaksin’s notes, which he made while he was just running for a Pheu Thai governor in Sri Sa Ket. Thaksin is seen as the de facto leader of Pheu Thai, then led by Ms Paetongtarn.
Thaksin used the Thai expression Lai noo tee ngu hao ( Chasing away the mouse and beating the cobras ) during the campaign.
It was seen as an assault on Bhumjaithai. ” Noo” or mouse, is Mr Anutin’s nickname, while the” cobras” were believed to allude to renegade Pheu Thai members who defected to Bhumjaithai.
Mr Anutin, who also serves as a deputy prime minister, said he was not involved in vote strategies for individuals affiliated with Bhumjaithai.
He said the same language was used by Cholnan Srikaew, a previous Pheu Thai president, during a plan ahead of the 2023 public vote.
” We are competing to serve the best interests of the people”, he said. ” There is no problem”.
Paetongtarn: Place public curiosity first
Anutin: ‘ Good competition’