Pheu Thai Leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra Declines PM Role Amid Srettha Thavisin’s Legal Troubles
Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced today she is not prepared to take on the role of Prime Minister, as Thailand’s current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin faces a legal challenge over an impeachment lawsuit. Paetongtarn emphasized her decision during a press briefing, noting that even if Srettha were impeached by the Constitutional Court or chose to resign before a ruling, she would not immediately step into the leadership position.
Paetongtarn, daughter of Pheu Thai’s prominent figure Thaksin Shinawatra, was one of three Pheu Thai candidates for Prime Minister in last year’s general election, alongside Pheu Thai MP Chaikasem Nitisiri and Srettha. Despite her political lineage and candidacy, Paetongtarn has deferred the possibility of assuming the prime ministerial role for the time being.
In her remarks, Paetongtarn expressed confidence in Srettha’s ability to withstand the impeachment efforts. She pointed to a recent controversial cabinet decision by Srettha as evidence of his political acumen. Last month, Srettha appointed Pichit Chuenban, a former lawyer for Thaksin, as a minister without portfolio. This appointment has sparked significant controversy and is central to the impeachment case against him.
A faction of senators advocating for Srettha’s impeachment views the appointment of Pichit as a serious breach of constitutional and ethical standards. Srettha, a real estate tycoon turned politician, narrowly avoided an immediate suspension by the court, which is expected to issue a ruling within the next few months.
The controversy surrounding Pichit Chuenban is not new. In 2008, he was implicated in an attempt to bribe Supreme Court officials with two million baht hidden in food bags, in a case connected to Thaksin. This incident resulted in Pichit serving a six-month jail sentence and the revocation of his lawyer’s license.
As the legal proceedings against Srettha continue, Paetongtarn’s announcement adds another layer of complexity to Thailand’s already turbulent political environment. The nation awaits further developments in Srettha’s case, which will likely have significant implications for Thailand’s political trajectory in the near future.
Several key political figures and officials attended Paetongtarn’s announcement, underscoring the high stakes and intense public interest surrounding the current political scenario.
