Former Thai Premier Thaksin Delays Return Amid Medical Checkup, Pheu Thai Party vies for Prime Minister
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has postponed his return to Thailand due to a scheduled medical checkup. Thaksin, a telecommunications tycoon who served as prime minister from 2001 until his ousting in a 2006 coup, has been living in self-imposed exile since 2008 to avoid a jail sentence for corruption. Despite his exile, Thaksin remains a significant figure in Thai politics.
Initially, Thaksin had intended to return on August 10, but the medical checkup necessitated a delay. If Thaksin were to return to Thailand, he would still face the possibility of imprisonment.
In the midst of this delay, the Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai Party has put forth a nominee for the position of prime minister, as parliament is set to vote on Tuesday. The Pheu Thai Party took over efforts to form a government after the leader of the election-winning Move Forward party failed in his bid to become prime minister.
The Pheu Thai Party, currently the second-largest party in the Thai parliament, is expected to nominate real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin for the position of prime minister. To secure the role, Pheu Thai will need the support of more than half of the bicameral legislature, including the military-appointed Senate.
As the political landscape in Thailand continues to evolve, the delayed return of Thaksin and the Pheu Thai Party’s nomination for prime minister highlight the ongoing power struggles within the country’s political system. The final outcome remains uncertain, but the decisions made in the coming days will undoubtedly shape Thailand’s future direction.
