Thaksin’s daughter outlines opposition’s vision

The daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra promised a new era of social equality, saying if her party is elected to power in next year’s election it will bring an end to poverty in the South-East Asian nation.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra (pic) told supporters on Tuesday that if Thailand’s largest opposition party, Pheu Thai, wins in May people would see a marked change from the administration of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who seized power in a military coup in 2014 and was then elected in 2019.

“The next four years will be the years that our country will bounce back and regain our dignity and pride,” she said.

“To think big and act smart will help rebuild our country and improve the livelihood of Thai people - as if it’s a miracle. Only political stability will help us.”

Paetongtarn outlined a raft of proposals that she said would benefit ordinary Thais, including doubling the daily minimum wage, expanding health care coverage, and reducing fares on Bangkok’s public transportation system. She did not provide details on how the party would accomplish its goals.

The Pheu Thai party hasn’t yet announced who its candidate for prime minister will be, but Paetongtarn’s presence has drawn attention since she took a post with it last year as chief of its Inclusion and Innovation Advisory Committee.

The 36-year-old has said she is very close to her father, who remains popular in Thailand, and meets with him frequently.

Thaksin’s government was toppled in an earlier military-led coup in 2006 and he eventually went into self-imposed exile to avoid serving prison time in Thailand on corruption charges he maintains were politically motivated.

He’s widely thought to be seeking some sort of a political comeback and has been increasing his profile, and Paetongtarn’s role with Pheu Thai seems to be an indication that his influence with the party is still strong. — AP