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Thai premier race heats up after court sacks Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, August 29th 2025 at 22:32 GMT by The Straits Times
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Thai Premier race heats up after court bans Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn

The 2023 Thai general election, set to take place in early 2024, is now a battlefield of its own. A fresh blow from the Constitutional Court has disqualified Paetongtarn Patanavej, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, from ever holding public office for a decade. The decision, announced yesterday, has reshuffled the political landscape, thrusting the prospect of a new prime minister into sharp focus and forcing major parties to scramble for fresh faces.

A court order that echoes past controversies

Paetongtarn, who had been the front‑line candidate for Pheu Thai – the party that inherited the legacy of Thaksin – was barred after the court found that she owned a stake in a company that had entered into a contract with a public agency. The allegation was that she used her influence to benefit her company, a classic conflict‑of‑interest scenario that Thai courts have pursued vigorously in recent years. While the ruling was limited to her name, it implicitly struck a blow at the broader Thaksin network, which has long relied on a mix of family‑owned businesses and political clout.

The decision is part of a pattern of judicial intervention that began in 2017 when the Constitutional Court removed several prominent figures, including the former prime minister himself. The Thai public has seen the court as a bulwark against corruption, but critics argue that its decisions often align with the interests of the ruling military junta.

Repercussions for Pheu Thai

Pheu Thai had been building its campaign around Paetongtarn’s reputation as a youthful, technocratic face. The party had already faced challenges: a shrinking voter base in rural areas, lingering doubts about its capacity to deliver after Thaksin’s 2010 ouster, and internal divisions over leadership succession. The ban has now forced the party to reconsider its strategy.

“We will look to a new leader who can embody Pheu Thai’s values while also showing a willingness to address the public’s economic concerns,” said a senior Pheu Thai strategist in an interview with the Straits Times. “We are exploring a slate that includes respected former parliamentarians and technocrats who can appeal to both rural and urban voters.”

The party’s leadership meeting, held on Tuesday in Bangkok, was reportedly tense. Some factions argue for bringing in a veteran such as Petchkasem Theerakorn, the former minister of education, while others lean toward a younger face to offset the perceived age of the party’s leadership.

The Democrat Party’s response

The Democrat Party, the main opposition group that had been trying to rally behind former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s sister‑in‑law, also had a candidate lined up for the election. The ban on Paetongtarn has left the Democrats with a dilemma: if they field a candidate too closely associated with the Thaksin clan, they risk alienating their own voter base. If they do not, they could cede the “left‑leaning” electorate to Pheu Thai.

“We are in the process of finalizing a list of candidates who can represent the party’s commitment to democracy and rule of law,” a Democrat spokesperson told the Straits Times. “We are also looking into how the new court ruling might affect the broader electoral dynamics.”

Palang Pracharat and the military’s role

Palang Pracharat, the party that has traditionally enjoyed the backing of the military junta, is expected to field a slate of candidates that emphasizes stability and economic growth. The party’s leadership, which includes former chief of staff Prawit Wongsuwan, is aware that the new political environment could shift the balance of power in favor of the opposition. They are reportedly seeking to promote candidates who can appeal to both rural voters and the urban middle class, thereby maintaining the military’s influence on the political scene.

“We need to maintain a robust platform that balances traditional values with modern governance,” a Palang Pracharat representative said. “The court’s decision may present an opening for us to broaden our appeal.”

How the ban affects the prime minister race

With Paetongtarn out of the picture, Pheu Thai must now seek a new front‑man or front‑woman. The party’s previous choices have ranged from former finance minister Piyaporn Punyaporn, to former MP Somsak Sithun, but none have yet been endorsed as the party’s “official” candidate. A new figure may alter the dynamics of the prime minister race, especially if the new leader can draw the Thaksin base while also appealing to independent voters.

The opposition’s lack of a compelling candidate could make the race more open. Some observers suggest that the Democratic Party could rally behind the former prime minister Prabowo Subianto, a former military general and former defense minister, but the party is cautious about aligning with a figure who has a controversial record.

The Constitutional Court’s ruling also means that Paetongtarn’s brother, former Foreign Minister Somchai Patanavej, might face scrutiny if he attempts to leverage the family’s legacy. The ban, therefore, has a ripple effect that extends beyond the candidate herself.

Public reaction and the wider political context

Opinion polls published by the Institute for Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) show a slight decline in support for Pheu Thai following the ban. Supporters of the party have voiced frustration, citing the need for a strong leader to counter the military’s influence.

The public’s reaction has been mixed. A social‑media post by a Pheu Thai supporter went viral, calling the ban “a political witch hunt” and urging the party to “push back” against the court. Meanwhile, an online poll on the Thai version of Reddit showed a 45% preference for a “new face” from Pheu Thai, suggesting that voters are ready for fresh leadership.

Looking ahead

With the court’s decision in effect, the next few weeks will be crucial. Pheu Thai must finalize its candidate by the deadline set by the Election Commission, while the Democrat and Palang Pracharat parties will need to solidify their slates. The ultimate prime minister will be determined by a coalition of parties that can secure a majority in the 500‑seat House of Representatives, a process that has become increasingly complex.

For the Thai electorate, the court’s decision on Paetongtarn has underscored a fundamental question: who will lead Thailand into a new era? The political arena is now set for a reshuffle, and as the election approaches, the narrative of a country poised between its past and future will continue to unfold.