As Thailand heads to election, Thaksin family chooses new dynasty member as PM candidate – Firstpost

Thailand’s politics has once again circled back to a familiar name, as the Thaksin Shinawatra-backed Pheu Thai Party picked another member of the powerful family as a prime ministerial candidate ahead of the next general election.

The party on Tuesday announced Yodchanan Wongsawat, Thaksin’s nephew, as one of its contenders for the top job, reinforcing the Shinawatra family’s enduring grip on Thai politics, as reported by AFP.

Yodchanan is also the son of former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, making him the latest in a long line of relatives to step into the political spotlight.

What do experts make of it?

Party leaders framed the move as a strategic advantage rather than dynastic politics.

Speaking to reporters after the announcement, Yodchanan brushed aside criticism about family dominance, saying, “I think that would be an advantage for us as a party. We actually have one vision that would be for the people.”

The announcement comes at a tense moment for Thailand, which is heading into a snap election following the dissolution of parliament. The decision has pushed the country back into campaign mode, with political uncertainty and regional tensions already running high.

Thaksin Shinawatra remains one of Thailand’s most influential and divisive political figures. Ousted in a 2006 military coup, the former telecom tycoon spent years in exile before returning home, but his shadow has continued to loom large over Thai politics through allied parties and family members.

That influence, however, has not gone unchallenged.

Earlier this year, the Shinawatra camp suffered a major setback when Thaksin’s daughter,
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed from office following a court ruling over ethical violations. The decision weakened Pheu Thai’s hold on power and exposed growing cracks within the ruling coalition.

By putting forward Yodchanan, the party appears to be betting that the Shinawatra name still carries weight with voters, particularly in rural and working-class regions. Critics, however, see it as more of the same dynastic politics.