Bangkok: The Pheu Thai Party is allowing its Members of Parliament (MPs) to express their opinions on the process of selecting a new party leader.
According to Thai News Agency, Danupon Punnakan, the party spokesperson, disclosed that there are currently four to five potential candidates for the leadership role, none of whom are from the Shinawatra family. He highlighted that the candidates must be well-rounded, possess economic expertise, and be prepared to participate in debates. Danupon emphasized that the party leader does not necessarily need to be a prime ministerial candidate. Ingkorn suggested during the meeting that the party adopt an open-minded approach when proposing someone to oversee Pheu Thai.
The Pheu Thai Party held its weekly MP meeting with several key figures in attendance, including Mr. Wisut Chainarun, the Pheu Thai MP Chairman; Mr. Chusak Sirinil, the Acting Pheu Thai Party Leader; Mr. Sorawong Thienthong, the Acting Secretary General of the Pheu Thai Party; and Ms. Paethongtarn Shin
awatra, the current Party Leader. The meeting lasted over an hour, during which MPs were instructed to prepare for any upcoming legislation in the House.
An extraordinary general meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 31st, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., to elect the new party leader and executive committee. Typically, these meetings are held openly with live broadcasts, but due to current circumstances, this meeting will be internal with no video or audio coverage. A press release will follow the completion of the process.
The dress code for the meeting has been modified in respect of the mourning period for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother. Attendees are required to wear suits and black ties, and a ceremony will be held to honor Her Majesty the Queen Mother’s kindness.
Danupon stated that the qualifications for the new party leader and the executive committee were discussed at the meeting held on October 28th. Although four or five names have been proposed for the leadership, no confirmations
have been made. MPs will have the opportunity to deliberate and nominate a candidate for the party leader position in the days leading up to the meeting. No final decisions have been reached as of now.
The party executive committee and regional MP meetings have tasked each region with proposing the proportions of deputy party leaders and committee members. The qualifications of these candidates are under consideration by eligible voting members, and the names of the leadership candidates will be revealed at the general meeting.
Danupon noted that the proposed names include both previously reported and new candidates. Discussions on suitability for the leadership role involve senior figures assessing candidates’ economic knowledge and their ability to apply party policies in debates. In the last election, Ms. Paethongtarn was unable to participate in debates due to her pregnancy, highlighting the need for a leader with comprehensive knowledge of party policies.
Ms. Paethongtarn attended the meeting, encoura
ging members to nominate suitable candidates for the general meeting to prepare for the decision on October 31st. Danupon confirmed that no member of the Shinawatra family has been nominated, nor does he expect any will be nominated on October 31st.