Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is legally entitled to participate in the Pheu Thai Party’s campaign rallies for the upcoming Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) chair elections in Udon Thani and Surin provinces, stated Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham, who also serves as the defense minister and is a senior member of Pheu Thai, stated that he has not yet discussed the campaign plans with Thaksin.
Thaksin is slated to assist at the campaign rallies on November 13-14 in Udon Thani and November 19-20 in Surin, with the PAO chair elections scheduled for November 23 in Surin and November 24 in Udon Thani.
Phumtham affirmed that Thaksin is free to help the campaign, stating, “There’s no problem to worry about. Political parties act within the bounds of the law,” he said. “It’s alright for [Thaksin] to travel to the provinces [and be a part of the canvassing effort].”
He further mentioned that Thaksin will support only Pheu Thai’s candidate, Sarawut Petphanomporn, a four-time MP—an action permissible under the law for any party affiliate.
Additionally, Phumtham drew a parallel to the main opposition People’s Party (PP), which has involved former Move Forward Party (MFP) leader Pita Limjaroenrat in its PAO chief campaign in Udon Thani.
The MFP, disbanded for attempting to subvert the constitutional monarchy, was reestablished as the PP. Mr. Pita, as a former MFP executive, is under a 10-year political ban.
However, Thaksin had his prison sentences reduced via a royal pardon, was subsequently paroled, and is now free.
Analysts suggest that Pheu Thai is eager to reassert its dominance in Udon Thani, a region where it traditionally had strong support. In the last general election, the party lost three out of ten constituencies there.
The PP won one MP seat, and the Thai Sang Thai Party won two. Mr. Phumtham did not speculate on the potential competitiveness of the upcoming PAO election between PP and Pheu Thai.
Linthiporn Warinwatchararoj, Pheu Thai’s deputy secretary-general, stated that Thaksin is no longer a convicted criminal and is fully eligible to participate in election campaigns.
Despite his political ban, Mr. Pita remains actively involved with the PP and other political groups, she noted.
