Patongtharn Shinawatra: Resignation heralds change in Pheu Thai!

Patongtharn Shinawatra: Resignation heralds change in Pheu Thai!

In a surprising move, Patongtharn Shinawatra, the chairwoman of the Pheu Thai Party, announced her resignation on October 22, 2023. The resignation is seen in political circles as a "political death" for the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but many also see it as an opportunity for comprehensive reform of the party. This is made clear by the BBC in their article, which points out that around 22 other members of the party executive will also have to resign, but will remain in office until the new election on October 31, 2023.

Patongtharn's resignation came during an urgent party meeting where she was hugged by her party colleagues and photos were taken. She stressed in a letter to members that she wants to reform Pheu Thai to address the pressure and possible legal challenges that could arise from having more than 100 MPs. This was a strategic decision aimed at ensuring the stability of the party. According to The101.world article, this is a significant change within Pheu Thai and there is discussion about what issues should be the focus going forward.

The political talk show as a platform for analysis

In the political talk show “K.การเมือง”, hosted by Somkid Puttasri, editor-in-chief of The101.world, Patongtharn's resignation is analyzed intensively. Experienced journalists Ahtukit Sawangsuk and Prateep Kongsip will also take part in the discussion. They talk about who is being considered as Pheu Thai's new leader and what issues should be important in the party's next phase. According to the article, it has already been suggested that the next leader will not be from the Shinawatra family, but an existing party member.

Thaksin Shinawatra's return to Thailand is also seen as significant. After more than 15 years in exile, the former prime minister, who served from 2001 to 2006, returned to Thailand on Tuesday. His return coincided with the election of Pheu Thai's Srettha Thavisin as the new prime minister, prompting mixed reactions from the population. While many celebrate Thaksin as a legend of populist politics who appealed primarily to rural people, others are skeptical of his alleged corruption and autocratic governance, CNN reports.

Reactions and outlook

The political upheavals bring with them both new opportunities and risks. Pheu Thai aims to bring around 200 MPs to parliament in the 2025 elections. Party members assure that their organization remains stable and that no MPs will leave. It remains to be seen how the elections will go and whether Pheu Thai, under new leadership, will be able to win the trust of voters.

Overall, we are at a crossroads in Thai politics in which the decisions of the next few weeks and months could be decisive. Thaksin's return and Patongtharn's resignation are just the tip of the political iceberg that will fundamentally influence the elections and the strategic alliances within the Thai political cosmos.