"Pheu Thai without its ‘Spiritual Leader’,Turning point or end of power?"

(SAP News - Punyaphon Rakcharoen)

Two decades of political turbulence in Thailand

Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's 23rd Prime Minister, has been active in Thai politics for more than two decades.   His political career began with the Thai Rak Thai Party's victory in the 2001 general election, when it received the most votes.   This prompted Thaksin to enter the Thai political arena and lead the formation of a government.   At the same time, the majority of Thai society supported Thaksin Shinawatra's leadership, which was strengthened by his image as a new generation leader, his clear commercial skills, and his domestic and international business practices.   His policies, which were popular with the grassroots, formed the foundation of the pyramid. These included universal healthcare coverage ( 30-baht Universal Coverage Scheme), a key symbol of Thaksin's government, debt moratoriums for farmers       , the establishment of village funds, and the One Tambon One Product (OTOP) project. Thaksin's popularity soared, and he won a second term as Prime Minister in 2005.   His political decisions, on the other hand, have sparked widespread criticism, including accusations of abuse of power.   Nepotism, intervention in public administration, and media interference have resulted in a lack of transparency in the country's administration, which is consistent with good governance principles

Another turning point in the history of the Pheu Thai Party came when its spirit was lost.

Political upheaval at the time ended in the Thai Rak Thai Party being renamed the People's Power Party, which later became the current Pheu Thai Party. Thaksin's formal asylum, however, remains an important actor in Thai politics, having acted as party leader and prime minister for six different people: Paethongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck Shinawatra, Settha Thavisin, Somchai Wongsawat, and Samak Sundaravej (now deceased). .The political scene was ultimately ended by a coup and was removed from office by the Constitutional Court.

Thaksin Shinawatra's return to Thailand on August 22, 2023, was another highly expected political turning point.   Thaksin was detained in prison upon his arrival due to a previous ongoing case.   Despite the fact that the Criminal Court dismissed the lèse-majesté case on September 22, 2025 owing to inadequate evidence, he currently has a fresh ongoing case at the Police General Hospital, the 14th floor.   On September 9, 2025, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions condemned Thaksin to one year in prison, despite the fact that he was aware he was not in an emergency.   This was the first time in Thai political history that a first-term prime minister was imprisoned.

Thaksin's decision to let his daughter, Paethongtarn Shinawatra, to lead the Pheu Thai Party and become Thailand's 31st Prime Minister was an important turning point.   This coincided with the Thai -Cambodian border conflict.   As a consequence, the Constitutional Court ruled 6:3 that Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed from her position as Prime Minister due to her conduct, which seriously violated and failed to comply with ethical standards in the case of leaked calls   published with Samdech Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian Senate.

"Even if my freedom is taken, my freedom of thought endures, dedicated to the country   and people, by our common ideology and spirit, until the day we stand united once again."

This is part of a message sent on Thaksin Shinawatra's personal social media account before he heads to Bangkok Remand Prison for his one-year sentence. This comes after the temporary suspension of both Pheu Thai Party spiritual leaders. Pheu Thai was regarded as a watershed moment in Thai politics, and Thaksin is still the Red Shirts' preferred Prime Minister. The messages left behind acknowledge his political power. Paethongtarn remains the party's spiritual head.

On September 9, 2025, the same day Thaksin was sentenced to prison, Paetongtarn, the former prime minister, attempted to get in touch with the Pheu Thai Party by firmly stating that the party is ready to move forward in the next general election, and that she will remain a key pillar in the campaign.   This obviously indicates the Shinawatra family's ongoing devotion to Thai politics, as evidenced by its long-standing support in important provincial communities.   Thaksin, the Pheu Thai Party's spiritual leader, still wields political authority.   In contrast, the failing programs of former Prime Minister Paethongtarn, which were highly expected by the people, such as the digital wallet policy

Another factor that could be contributing to the decrease of Pheu Thai's voter base.   Meanwhile, the People's Party, a political party with a clear democratic ideology, maintains its dominance among the younger generation's voting base, with a continually rising new base and 14 million votes from the previous election.   Regardless of the conditions, they are always creating new political leaders.   This poses a significant problem for Pheu Thai, which continues to support its conventional leaders.   The return of the Pheu Thai Party without Thaksin could cause a dilemma for the party, which must be resolved soon before the next election.

The Anutin-led coalition government: Bhumjaithai’s edge in the coming election

When the "spiritual leader of the Pheu Thai Party" seems to have weakened and an alternate leadership takes its place, the People's Party joined forces with the Bhumjaithai Party to form a minority government after the coalition government on September 5, 2025. Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party was elected Thailand's 32nd Prime Minister on major conditions, including the dissolution of Parliament within four months and the formulation of a new constitution by an elected   Constitution Drafting Assembly of Thailand

,after receiving 311 votes in the parliament house. Also secured the support of the Pheu Thai Party, thanks to his efforts to create political balance among the multi-party coalition and his outstanding negotiations. This could potentially give Anutin and the Bhumjaithai Party a leg up in the next election. However, the party remains trapped by its own corruption and conflicts of interest cases, including the Khao Kradong case and the Senate collusion case. Furthermore, once a government is formed, it will be a minority government with fewer MPs than the opposition. Although a new government has been formed, Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and Prime Minister, declared on September 10, 2025, that the Bhumjaithai Party is still dedicated to sticking to the terms agreed upon with the Prachachon Party and that there is currently no pressure.   When the four-month timeframe arrives, the best choice is to dissolve Parliament immediately.

Thai Politics: Stuck in a loop or a step ahead?

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand's second female prime minister, has been in power for over a year. This little era has had far-reaching political consequences, including the growth of policies aimed at "creating equal opportunities, ensuring Thais have food, money, and dignity" as she stated. Although campaign policies have evolved, many have yet to achieve their intended aim. As stated, the Pheu Thai Party continues to face challenges in ensuring the people's livelihoods. Meanwhile, the most compelling aspect is the replacement of the new government, which is committed to amending the constitution and dissolving Parliament as agreed, as well as moving the economy forward to meet the needs of the people within the short four-month period before the end of its term.

The Pheu Thai Party's future will be as either the opposition or the government.   Meanwhile, a new wave of MPs is emerging from the party, despite the fact that Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, a core member of the Pheu Thai Party, has yet to be resolved.   We will continue to ensure that such tragedies do not occur, and we believe in the abilities of our MPs.   Furthermore, the Pheu Thai Party has significant cash and will continue to serve as the opposition.   This represents Pheu Thai's transition into full-fledged opposition.   Thai politics will always center on the political games of the old political parties and the Shinawatra family network. However, we will continue to monitor the Pheu Thai Party's actions to see how it responds to this political game in the future.   While Pheu Thai's game changers lack independence, they retain political power in order to avoid being seen as the party's death alongside its spiritual head.

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Source of material: official media /online news