The opposition Pheu Thai party is scheduled to hold a general assembly on October 31 to elect their new party leader and executive committee, replacing Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Paetongtarn resigned as party leader today, to clear the way for the party to have a free hand in restructuring following a plunge in its popularity and credibility, triggered by the scandalous phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodian strongman Hun Sen.
Meanwhile, Pheu Thai’s elections director, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, hinted today that the new leader may not be a member of the Shinawatra family, as he denied speculation that he may be named to succeed Paetongtarn.
He said, though, that he will not become the new party leader because he is now too told, adding that the party should look for someone from a newer generation.
Suriya also dismissed as completely untrue a report that the Juangroongruangkit clan had forced Paetongtarn to step down, saying that he has consulted his lawyer over filing a defamation suit against the person who disseminated this fake news.
He said that he began his political career in the Thai Rak Thai party, led by former prime minister and now convict Thaksin Shinawatra, and was appointed the party’s secretary-general, adding that he has been treated kindly by the Shinawatra family, including Paetongtarn.
So, it is impossible that he had betrayed Paetongtarn, claimed Suriya, adding that he will try to return the party to its past glory by winning as many as 200 House seats in the upcoming general election, rather than leading a mass defection to another party, as has been speculated.
He admitted that the Pheu Thai party has been closely related to the Shinawatra family since its inception, particularly Thaksin, who was the founder of the Thai Rak Thai party, the first predecessor of Pheu Thai.
Chusak Sirinil, the party’s chief legal advisor and a deputy leader is currently the acting party leader.
