BANGKOK – Thailand’s major opposition party signaled its intentions to open a new chapter in democratic governance with the surprising and progressive choice of Yingluck Shinawatra as its candidate for Prime Minister.
“Pheu Thai believes in true grass-roots democracy that begins with people power,” said PT spokesperson Prompong Nopparit. “With Yingluck’s candidacy it should be clear to everyone that we’re ready to break away from the old politics of elitism, nepotism, cronyism and the shady dealings of powerful families.”
Yingluck, a 43-year old business executive with no political experience, was announced at a PT press conference as the “most qualified candidate to lead the nation forward.” Her years as president of AIS and earlier work at SC Asset were touted by party executives as proof that she was a logical choice over all others, including long-time party insiders and experienced MPs.
“Thailand is going through a revolution, with the people seizing power from the amart,” said Prompong. “Thaksin showed the people that anyone can be a leader through hard work, and that your background doesn’t matter. His sister will continue to show them that.”
Political analysts were taken by complete surprise by the announcement, with most conceding that PT’s democratic credentials were now stronger than ever.
“To nominate a relatively young, photogenic, and charismatic non-politician as party leader is a radical move that’s never been tried in Thai politics,” observed Supawan Phuthanakitti, professor of political science at Chulalongkorn University. “Pheu Thai is clearly separating themselves from old-school Thai politics.”
At a PT political rally in Udon Thani, pictures of Yingluck were held aloft by many of the estimated 5,000 persons in attendance, while speakers from the stage lauded her as the “next prime minister of Thailand, and the champion of tomorrow’s transparent and dynamic politics.”
In what may have been a veiled reference to the monarchy, a speaker on stage called for the end of “the dictatorship of bloodlines” and urged everyone to vote for PT to show the elite that “leadership cannot be inherited.”
“In the new Thailand it won’t matter what your last name is,” said a young supporter who identified herself only as Ek. “I look forward to generations of Shinawatras showing us the possibilities.”
