Pheu Thai Party's Phumtham says PM nomination to be discussed

Pheu Thai Party's Phumtham says PM nomination to be discussed

Thailand's political landscape is once again in flux following the dismissal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra by the Constitutional Court. The court ruled that Paetongtarn violated ethical standards, sparking a potential political crisis. The ruling has left Thailand with no clear successor, as the Pheu Thai Party, currently in power, is facing an uncertain future [1].

The Pheu Thai Party has nominated Chaikasem Nitisiri as its candidate for the prime ministerial position. Chaikasem, a former justice minister and attorney general, has a long legal career and is seen as a potential compromise candidate. However, his nomination has not been without controversy, as the party's current coalition is fragile and the ruling coalition holds a razor-thin majority of just seven seats [2].

The political turmoil in Thailand has not only affected its political stability but also its economic outlook. The country's economy, already struggling, faces further uncertainty with the dismissal of Paetongtarn. The political instability could lead to a prolonged economic downturn, with investors wary of the political risks [3].

The process of choosing a new prime minister is complex and could take time. A candidate needs endorsement from 50 lawmakers before the house can vote, and the backing of more than half of the lower house's current 492 members is required to become prime minister. The process will be repeated for any other candidates nominated until a prime minister is chosen, with no time limit on the process [3].

The chances of Pheu Thai retaining the premiership through Chaikasem depend largely on whether Thaksin Shinawatra, the influential former premier and father of Paetongtarn, still has an accommodation with Thailand's conservative establishment. While the old guard has a troubled history with Thaksin, some analysts suggest they may see him as the lesser of two evils. A weakening of Thaksin's power could lead to an early election and open the door to the People's Party, a progressive and hugely popular opposition with an institutional reform agenda that threatens the interests of conservatives and the royalist military [3].

Despite his limited political experience, Chaikasem as premier might be an agreeable stopgap solution, but he would struggle to deliver on reforms or jumpstart a flat-lining economy. Political uncertainty could fester and the economic outlook could remain gloomy for some time.

Other scenarios include Anutin Charnvirakul, an ambitious former interior minister and deputy premier, as premier. He would need support from within the coalition he fled and from the People's Party, the largest force in parliament, which has signaled it may back him if he commits to an early election. Another possibility is the return of retired general Prayuth Chan-ocha, who would need to work with bitter enemy Pheu Thai.

In conclusion, Thailand's political future remains uncertain. The dismissal of Paetongtarn has left the country without a clear path forward, and the nomination of Chaikasem Nitisiri as the Pheu Thai Party's candidate for prime minister is just the beginning of what could be a long and complex political process.

References:
[1] https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250829-thai-court-to-rule-on-pm-s-fate-after-cambodia-phone-call-row
[2] https://www.tradingview.com/news/reuters.com,2025:newsml_P8N3MI047:0-thailand-s-pheu-thai-party-to-nominate-chaikasem-nitisiri-as-pm-candidate-official-says/
[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailands-pm-dismissed-what-happens-next-2025-08-29/