Thai conservatives flex political muscle

Thaksin Shinawatra speaks to reporters with his daughter Paetongtarn (right) standing beside him at his residence on his birthday, July 24. (Photo supplied)
At his home on July 24th, Thaksin Shinawatra and his daughter Paetongtarn ( right ) are pictured together as they speak to reporters at his birthday. ( Photo supplied )

According to a political analyst, the choice to nominate Pheu Thai leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the new prime minister indicates that Thaksin Shinawatra, the party’s de facto leader, will go to great lengths to rebuild a support base in order to defeat the People’s Party ( PP ) in the face of opposition.

Commonly seen as socially inexperienced, Ms Paetongtarn, 37, on Friday won enormous assistance from the House of Representatives to achieve Srettha Thavisin, who was removed from office by the Constitutional Court.

Pheu Thai joined the traditional parties last year to form a government, a resurrection of the democratic Move Forward Party that was disbanded on August 7.

Direct problem

Stithorn Thananithichot, director of the Office of Innovation for Democracy at the King Prajadhipok’s Institute, said Ms Paetongtarn’s rise to power suggests the traditional camp is sticking to its method of countering the main opposition group, but this time without relying on a proxy.

On Wednesday night, it was reported that senior partnership numbers agreed to nominate Chaikasem Nitisiri, 75, a former justice secretary and attorney-general for the best position. They met at Thaksin’s Ban Chan Song La house on Charan Sanitwong Road in Bangkok.

But, on Thursday the Pheu Thai executive committee selected Ms Paetongtarn as the group’s member.

This is Pheu Thai’s next opportunity, according to Mr. Stithorn, to gain support and gain floor that was lost. However, if the group fails, it might no longer be seen as the party’s best option in the social conflict with the PP, and a new plan will be required.

” This move may operate. Additionally, the state will need to approach problems with possible legal pitfalls with yet greater caution. It’d be healthier not to infuriate the liberal camp”, he said.

Additionally, according to Mr. Stithorn, the political climate will become more intense starting with great anticipation, particularly given the appointment of a Shinawatra home prime minister.

The challenge will be fierce as regional elections are drawing near, and parties will use this opportunity to gain more supporters ahead of the upcoming general election, he said.

Following Thaksin and his girlfriend Yingluck, Ms. Paetongtarn is the second Shinawatra family member to hold the position. Thaksin’s brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat even served as prime minister recently in 2008.

” They must counter the popularity ]of the PP] and retain support from Ban Yai, or political families. We can expect powerful politics in the local elections due to the fierce competition between the PP, Bhumjaithai Party, and Pheu Thai,” said Mr. Stithorn.

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Stithorn: Republicans want to shop PP

Weak criticism

In the current political climate, where the opposition is weak and in transition, Ms. Paetongtarn is viewed as a” safe” choice, according to a source from the Chartthaipattana Party.

Additionally, the newly disbanded MFP’s 44 former MPs who supported a bill to amend Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese majeste law, are being investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission ( NACC).

When the criticism is perceived as poor, the source said it is time to work and select the most suitable candidate for the championship.

With Ms Paetongtarn in office, her vital man may become none other than the “former leader”– implied to be Thaksin– and a new approach is required, he added.

Pushing Ms Paetongtarn into the perfect leader’s status signals the fight against the Women’s Party will be a high-stakes battle, said the source.

A source close to the source said that Bhumjaithai head Anutin Charnvirakul is improbable to take on the role of the conservative camp leader at this time.

According to Adisorn Piengkes, an MP from the Pheu Thai record, both the state and the opposition has reevaluate their strategy because both have just experienced political setbacks. He referred to the court rulings that took the MFP and Mr. Srettha out of business just one week apart.

He praised the party leader’s abilities and potential, saying that her advice from her parents and party figures would help her wind any political turbulences.

Mr. Adisorn stated that the party’s intention was to follow through with its election battle commitments more than engage in political conflict with the PP.

He added Mr Paetongtarn may help shore up the party’s reputation.

When asked about the group’s premier digital wallet scheme, he said the new government would make a decision and that he hoped it would be just as significant as the ubiquitous healthcare program.

Adisorn: Displays trust in Paetongtarn

Adisorn: Displays trust in Paetongtarn

Good evidence

The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC ) applauded the decision to nominate Ms. Paetongtarn because it could help to restore confidence in the nation and, as soon as the legal process is finished, it could increase that confidence as soon as the process is finished.

The Thai Chamber of Commerce’s chair, Sanan Angubolkul, claimed that the prime minister’s time does not factor into whether she can show leadership and that the ruling party has the resources to employ policies.

Under her leadership, he added, the private sector wants a more creative approach to ensuring balance and unity. The TCC likewise provided vital areas for the authorities to concentrate on in the near future.

First of all, the state needs to maintain the balance of the Thai baht, which will help to increase the growth of the tourism industry and raise the trade sector’s security.

To reach the 36 to 37 million visitor goal, it is crucial to maintain the speed of tourist arrivals. This can be accomplished by introducing new tourist destinations, improving health, and pursuing a strategy to market investments in 10 captain regions.

Other priorities include launching measures to ease financial hardship, launching new markets, and protecting producers from an flow of cheap goods from abroad, among others.

Mr. Sanan also demanded that the new administration carry out the Srettha government’s initiatives to increase business and draw in foreign investors. He suggested that a particular department be tasked with monitoring plans.

He added that the government may continue to support tasks that will boost the economy and advance the soft power mission. He added that the nation needs to improve its labor skills in order to attract opportunities in modern technology, lower energy costs, and update archaic laws that prevent investments.

Thailand’s GDP is growing at an average price of about 2 %, which is below its potential. According to Mr. Sanan, the state needs a moderate- and long-term plan to increase GDP rise to at least 3 to 5 % in order to solve this.

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Sanan: New PM’s period does not matter