Thaksin ploughs on

As the charter court is set to make a decision tomorrow on whether it will accept a petition against former PM Thaksin Shinawatra over the allegation that he and the Pheu Thai Party are attempting to overthrow the constitutional monarchy, the ruling party’s de facto leader shows he simply couldn’t care less.
Most, if not all, political observers believe the court will accept the case, as petitioned by activist Teerayut Suwankesorn, who cited six past events, including the naming of Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the new premier following Srettha Thavisin’s removal from the post in August.
Mr Teerayut claims this demonstrates how Thaksin effectively controls the party, an offence that could see it dissolved by way of punishment.
Other events include Thaksin’s high profile “vision talk”, with all of his recommended policies being adopted by the Paetongtarn government.
Mr Teerayut also alleged that Thaksin is behind the expulsion of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) from the coalition government.
At the same time, there are reports the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has informed the court of its decision to dismiss Mr Teerayut’s petition. The case will be solely handled by the court, which will set a date for a ruling.
Some observers noted the OAG’s dismissal may have boosted Thaksin’s confidence about his political prowess, which became clear when he last week spearheaded a poll campaign for a new chairman of the Udon Thani provincial administrative organisation (PAO) in his attempt to woo support from local voters.
The Nov 24 poll is turning into a two-horse race — a fight between Pheu Thai and the People’s Party (PP), a reincarnation of the Move Forward Party (MFP) which was dissolved over its attempts to amend Section 112, or the lese majeste law.
Both parties sent their heavyweights to help canvass in Udon Thani, which is seen as the “capital” of the red-shirt group in the Northeast. The PP is backing the top candidate, Kanisorn Khurirang, while Pheu Thai has aligned with No 2, Sarawut Petchpanomporn.
While it appears Pheu Thai has a good chance of maintaining its grip on this northeastern province, the PP is now a force to be reckoned with.
The former MFP emerged as the first runner-up in the last election, grabbing more than 295,000 votes, second only to Pheu Thai, which gained 353,100 in the 2023 national poll in this province.
As the two parties engage in a war of words, the Udon Thani election represents a fight between the old powers, or Thaksin versus those seeking new politics.
In fact, Thaksin did little to hide his control over the ruling party and his daughter, and the so-called “ban yai” style of politics based on political family and networking, as he unveiled a cash handout scheme by his daughter’s government, and also a proposal for a new 700-baht minimum daily wage, an extreme form of populism.
As this is not relevant to the PAO election, Thaksin’s decision to cite it will give activists more ammo against him in their relentless bid to use lawfare against the former premier.
Neither Pheu Thai nor the PP can afford to lose the Udon Thani PAO election.
For the latter, it’s a chance to promote decentralisation, one of its flagship policies in the 2023 poll. Victories in local polls will help secure its chances in the next national elections in 2027.