The upcoming 2023 election in Thailand has sparked speculation about potential candidates for the next premier. Among the options for the Pheu Thai party is Thaksin Shinawatra’s 37-year-old daughter and party leader, Paetongtarn Shinawatra. If successful, she would become Thailand’s third Shinawatra premier after her father Thaksin and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra. Other potential candidates include Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, Energy Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, and Prawit Wongsuwan, a former army chief who was involved in previous coups.
The court decision regarding the current premier, Srettha, comes at a difficult time for Thailand’s economy. Srettha has struggled to jumpstart the economy, which is facing challenges such as weak exports and consumer spending, high household debt, and over a million small businesses unable to access loans. The government has projected a growth rate of only 2.7 percent for 2024, falling behind other regional countries. Thailand’s main stock index, SETI, has also seen a decline of about 17 percent year-to-date, making it the worst-performing market in Asia.
The possibility of Paetongtarn Shinawatra becoming the next premier in Thailand has generated interest and anticipation. As a member of the prominent Shinawatra family, she brings a legacy of political experience and leadership to the table. If she were to succeed, she would follow in the footsteps of her father Thaksin and aunt Yingluck, who have both previously held the position of premier. Other potential candidates from the Pheu Thai party and the government include Anutin Charnvirakul, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, and Prawit Wongsuwan.
The economic challenges facing Thailand at the present moment are a concern for the current government and future leadership. The country’s economy has been struggling with issues such as low exports, weak consumer spending, high household debt, and limited access to loans for small businesses. This has led to a sluggish growth rate, with Thailand lagging behind its regional peers. The decline in the country’s stock market index further exemplifies the economic hurdles that the next premier will need to address.
As the political landscape in Thailand evolves towards the 2023 election, the selection of the next premier is crucial for the country’s future. The potential candidates, including Paetongtarn Shinawatra and others, will need to confront the economic challenges and work towards reviving the economy. With the legacy of the Shinawatra family playing a significant role in Thai politics, there is anticipation and speculation about the direction that the country will take under new leadership. The outcomes of the election and the subsequent policies implemented will have far-reaching implications for Thailand’s economic and political future.
