2023-08-22 11:46:00
Three months after the general election, real estate magnate Srettha Thavisin was elected the new head of government by Pheu Thai. Thavisin received a majority of votes in the popularly elected House of Representatives and in the military-appointed Senate. On the same day, convicted ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived after 15 years in exile. The 74-year-old billionaire and Pheu Thai founder was arrested upon arrival.
Srettha was the only candidate and succeeds Prayut Chan-ocha. The former general had been in power since 2014, when he overthrew the previous Pheu Thai government in a coup.
Srettha’s election came hours after ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned from exile. The pro-democracy Pheu Thai, founded by Thaksin and now the second-largest faction in parliament, has merged with ten other parties.
Legend: The newly elected Prime Minister of Thailand is called Shretta Thavin. The Pheu Thai representative was the only candidate. In two previous rounds, no candidate garnered the support of the popularly elected House of Representatives and the military-appointed Senate. Keystone/AP/WASON WANICHAKORN
Officially, the return has nothing to do with the upcoming round of elections for the prime minister, says SRF Southeast Asia correspondent Martin Aldrovandi. However, it is certainly no coincidence that Thaksin is returning right now and not on August 10 as originally planned.
deal suspected
According to Aldrovandi, political observers in Thailand are assuming a deal between the still influential Pheu Thai founder Thaksin and the establishment. Thaksin faces several years in prison for bribery and corruption, for which he was convicted in absentia in 2008. Likewise for disrespect for the monarchy.
Caption: Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra with his youngest daughter Paetongtarn at Bangkok Airport. The 36-year-old politician and businesswoman has a leading role in the Pheu Thai party and is also running for office. Keystone/EPA/RUNGROJ YONGRIT
So it’s quite possible that the 74-year-old billionaire will hardly spend much time behind bars thanks to a reduced prison sentence or a royal pardon. In Thailand, convicts over the age of 70 can apply for parole or a royal pardon.
Pheu Thai as the lesser evil for the establishment
Aldrovandi estimates that the pragmatic and less ideological Pheu Thai is now apparently the lesser evil for the royalists and the establishment than the young, victorious Move Forward Party (MFP). Because they wanted to push the military out of politics and also reform the lèse-majesté law.
Pheu Thai is now apparently ready to work with the former enemies to seize power, Aldrovandi said. This was not well received by the electorate and was sometimes perceived as a betrayal. But Pheu Thai accepts this risk.
Caption: Upon arrival at Bangkok Airport, Thaksin Shinawatra bowed demonstratively to the King’s effigy. His influence is still very big in Thailand. Also belonging to the Shinawatra clan is his sister Yingluck, who was also briefly prime minister before being ousted from office. Keystone/AP/WASON WANICHAKORN
Thaksin, who made his fortune in the telecoms industry, was elected prime minister in 2001. He was overthrown in a military coup in 2006. He was accused of corruption and abuse of power, as well as disrespect for the monarchy. In 2008 he fled the country into exile to avoid prison.
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