Thailand’s ruling party on Friday elected the daughter of imprisoned billionaire and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as its leader.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest daughter, was elected unopposed as the brand new leader of Pheu Thai two years after entering politics.
Thaksin, probably the most influential but divisive politician in Thailand’s recent history, returned to the dominion in August after 15 years of self-imposed exile following his ousting in a 2006 coup.
“Pheu Thai’s latest administrative body must improve to guide the party to develop into primary among the many people again,” Paetongtarn told party members and reporters, wearing a red suit, the party’s signature color.
Paetongtarn, 37, was a figurehead of Pheu Thai’s campaign ahead of the May general elections and plans to modernize the party.
‘Most popular’ Thaksin could tackle an advisory role after being released from prison, says Thailand’s prime minister
‘Most popular’ Thaksin could tackle an advisory role after being released from prison, says Thailand’s prime minister
Pheu Thai is the most recent incarnation of the political movement founded by her father, however it was beaten into second place in a May poll by the upstart progressive Forward Movement Party.
The result was a shock for the movement, which has won a majority of seats in every election in Thailand since 2001.
At the party’s general meeting on Friday morning, Paetongtarn received 289 votes, with one abstention.
Political analyst Yuttaporn Issrachai said the announcement is modeled after Pheu Thai’s “family style.”
“It is an attempt to modernize the party, but ultimately the core of the party remains the same. He belongs to the Shinawatra clan,” he said.
However, Pheu Thai’s deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai defended the move, saying Paetongtarn deserved the leadership role.
“It’s not because of her name. We select people solely based on their qualifications,” he told reporters.
