The Pheu Thai Party has reaffirmed that its leadership will remain unchanged as it moves forward with internal restructuring ahead of the next general election.
Key party strategist Phumtham Wechayachai said on Wednesday that leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra had made it clear she would continue in her role, so long as members maintained confidence in her leadership and abilities.
While expressing confidence in the party’s electoral prospects, Mr. Phumtham stressed the need for structural reforms to improve coordination and efficiency. He noted that several senior figures were preoccupied with government duties, leaving less time for party affairs.
“We will be working on party reforms to enhance coordination and internal systems to ensure readiness for the next election,” he said.
Mr. Phumtham also confirmed that Pheu Thai was fully prepared for the Sept 28 by-election in Si Sa Ket’s Constituency 5, which was triggered by the death of MP Amorntep Sommai in June.
Asked whether senior party members would campaign, he replied that preparations had already been made.
Addressing allegations from the CSI LA Facebook page that close associates of Ms Paetongtarn had exploited political ties for business gains, Mr. Phumtham said the matter should be handled by the justice system, adding that Pheu Thai politicians were ready to face scrutiny.
Veteran party figure Prasert Jantararuangtong said the party remained upbeat despite the Supreme Court’s ruling ordering former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn’s father, to serve a one-year prison sentence.
He dismissed concerns over possible instability, insisting that MPs remained united and that Pheu Thai had always adapted its strategies to meet shifting political circumstances, with Ms Paetongtarn firmly at the helm.
Meanwhile, Assoc Prof Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, a lecturer at Thammasat University’s Faculty of Law, noted in a Facebook post that the ruling marked the first time the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions had scrutinised how the Department of Corrections enforced a prison sentence.
He said the department would now face closer oversight, particularly as its officials were themselves under investigation.
