The populist party founded by the country’s former leader Thaksin Shinawatra nominated his nephew as its top choice for prime minister in the upcoming election.
Thaksin, a 76-year-old political heavyweight and one of Thailand’s richest people, is currently serving a prison sentence in Bangkok for corruption during his time in office.
His party, Pheu Thai, yesterday selected biomedical engineering professor Yodchanan Wongsawat as its first-listed candidate.
Yodchanan, 46, is a son of ex-prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and Thaksin’s sister, Yaowapa Wongsawat.
He told reporters in the capital yesterday that his relation to Thaksin came with the advantage of a singular vision.
“I think that would be an advantage for us as a party. We actually have one vision: that would be for the people,” Yodchanan said.
Asked about his security policy, as border clashes with Cambodia rage after a long-standing conflict reignited this month, Yodchanan said it “would be straightforward”.
“Sovereignty would be the priority and we need to save our people,” he added.
Yodchanan entered politics in 2014, running for parliament in the northern Shinawatra stronghold of Chiang Mai.
But a court nullified the election after protesters against the government led by Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck, blocked polling sites. — AFP
