Politics Thaksin Plays Power Card to Keep Paetongtarn in Place

[webfact]

In this photo released by The Government Spokesman Office, Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, talks to Commander of the 2nd Army Area Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, left during a meeting with soldiers in Ubonratchathani province, northeast of Bangkok, Friday, June 20, 2025. (Government Spokesman Office via AP)

 

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is manoeuvring to keep his daughter Paetongtarn in the prime ministerial seat until the crucial 2026 government budget bill gets its final nod in August.

 

A partisan source revealed over the weekend that Thaksin has strategically delayed her possible resignation amidst mounting pressure linked to her controversial management of the Thai-Cambodian dispute.

 

During a discreet meeting at Thaksin's residence, the political titan informed Ruam Thai Sang Chart's leader, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, that his daughter would not bow out before the 3.78 trillion baht (approximately 143 billion USD) budget gains parliamentary approval.

 

Despite Pirapan's insistence on Paetongtarn’s resignation, following the departure of Bhumjaithai from the coalition, Thaksin proposed her extended stay until August’s key legislative conclusion.

 

Anticipating future political shifts, Thaksin is reportedly orchestrating a new cabinet composition. This reshuffle would see the ultra-conservative Ruam Thai Sang Chart rise to the second-largest coalition spot after Pheu Thai, replacing Bhumjaithai, who left the government coalition.

 

The new cabinet is expected to fill eight ministerial vacancies in critical areas such as the interior and education sectors, distributing roles amongst Pheu Thai, Pirapan’s members, and other allies.

 

Despite the changes, a twist comes with Bhumjaithai’s leader, Newin Chidchob, offering an opening. In an unexpected suggestion, Bhumjaithai MPs could lend their votes to Ruam Thai Sang Chart’s Pirapan for the prime minister role, should Thaksin agree to Paetongtarn’s resignation.

 

This political chess game underscores Thaksin's intricate web of influence and the high stakes surrounding the finalisation of the 2026 budget.

 

The unfolding events highlight a persistent tension in Thai politics, with Thaksin's decisive influence continuing to navigate the nation's power dynamics as the August budget deadline looms.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-06-22

 

 

 

[lordgrinz]

Thaksin demands this, Thaksin demands that, Thaksin plays Power Card.......Exactly who is running the government?

[davb]

What does "ultra-conservative" mean?

[Jim Blue]

5 minutes ago, davb said:

What does "ultra-conservative" mean?

Blue blood ?

[redwood1]

This sounds like Tony has his snout deeply in the 2026 budget bill and wants to make sure his payday comes through...

[Geoffggi]

I would love to know exactly what Thaksin has over the whole on the government, everyone appears to $hit scared of upsetting him, it really is disturbing the amount control he has over legitimate government officials. None appear to have a pair !!!!

[Artisi]

2 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Thaksin demands this, Thaksin demands that, Thaksin plays Power Card.......Exactly who is running the government?

Thaksin 

[bannork]

1 hour ago, Geoffggi said:

I would love to know exactly what Thaksin has over the whole on the government, everyone appears to $hit scared of upsetting him, it really is disturbing the amount control he has over legitimate government officials. None appear to have a pair !!!!

Do some research on why a man who was the arch enemy of the conservative elite in Thailand was allowed back. It may explain his influence.

 

 

 

[hotandsticky]

4 minutes ago, Artisi said:

Thaksin 

 

 

Thaksin rak Thaksin

[ikke1959]

Thaksin is the real culprit... Nobody can get rid of this man, but maybe he is not in the country anymore... He was quiet for many days now, and of course he will do everything for his family instead of so called doing it for the country's sake... He own wallet is the most important... If they were working for the country and the Thai people the PM should step down immediately, but the longer it takes, the more Pheu Thai and the Thaksin will loose credibility and support

[blaze master]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra

 

Former ?

[TroubleandGrumpy]

I think many posters and the media are focusing too hard on one person - the real culprits are those behind that one man and his daughter.  Thaksin 'represents' the uber wealthy Chinese families that dominate Thailand with regards to political, business, industrial and government operations.  Han Sen was the Dictator in charge of Cambodia for decades and is now the Senate Head - he is a member of the uber wealthy Chinese ethnic families that also do the same in Cambodia.  He is like an 'Uncle' to the current PM in more than name - he is a very close to Thaksin and has been for decades.  That is who the anger and distain should be pointing - the wealthy Chinese families that run Thailand (and Cambodia) - not to one man who they can and will replace as and when they need - just like they did with Srettha.

 

Whoever was the staffer in Cambodia that leaked that phone call will never be found.  IMO they are already feeding the fish deep down in the Gulf of Thailand. 

[BLMFem]

30 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I think many posters and the media are focusing too hard on one person - the real culprits are those behind that one man and his daughter.  Thaksin 'represents' the uber wealthy Chinese families that dominate Thailand with regards to political, business, industrial and government operations.  Han Sen was the Dictator in charge of Cambodia for decades and is now the Senate Head - he is a member of the uber wealthy Chinese ethnic families that also do the same in Cambodia.  He is like an 'Uncle' to the current PM in more than name - he is a very close to Thaksin and has been for decades.  That is who the anger and distain should be pointing - the wealthy Chinese families that run Thailand (and Cambodia) - not to one man who they can and will replace as and when they need - just like they did with Srettha.

 

Whoever was the staffer in Cambodia that leaked that phone call will never be found.  IMO they are already feeding the fish deep down in the Gulf of Thailand. 

That audio was leaked intentionally. You don't spread the recording to 80 people thinking no one would leak it. Hun Sen isn't that stupid.

[newbee2022]

19 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Thaksin demands this, Thaksin demands that, Thaksin plays Power Card.......Exactly who is running the government?

Money anyway.

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is manoeuvring to keep his daughter Paetongtarn in the prime ministerial seat until the crucial 2026 government budget bill gets its final nod in August.

He needs jailing or deporting.

[JAG]

18 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

I would love to know exactly what Thaksin has over the whole on the government, everyone appears to $hit scared of upsetting him, it really is disturbing the amount control he has over legitimate government officials. None appear to have a pair !!!!

Popular support.

 

Less than he had before the rise of PPP or whatever they are called now, but still massively more than the various parties which make up the yellow underpants squad!

 

There is another source of support of course - that is why he came back.

 

It is universally accepted that he, and his regimes were corrupt, but the fact (common knowledge) that he is being pursued by people, agencies and networks unashamedly as, if not more corrupt than him, rather cancels that out; and despite everything he still commands great support amongst the people. Why? Because pragmatically he is the only effective figure in current Thai politics, since the emasculation of the orange movement, which has ever paid more than lip service to the needs and ambitions of the "lower stratas" in this society.

[hotchilli]

19 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

Thaksin demands this, Thaksin demands that, Thaksin plays Power Card.......Exactly who is running the government?

Thaksin...

[NanLaew]

19 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

19 hours ago, davb said:

What does "ultra-conservative" mean?

Blue blood ?

 

Eye-jarringly yellow shirt?

[thesetat]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

During a discreet meeting at Thaksin's residence, the political titan informed Ruam Thai Sang Chart's leader, Pirapan Salirathavibhaga, that his daughter would not bow out before the 3.78 trillion baht (approximately 143 billion USD) budget gains parliamentary approval.

It begs to question why noone is investigating this more. Why does Thaksin care so much to get it approved before letting his daughter leave her position? 

Thaksin does things to benefit himself and his family. So, perhaps there is something in this budget that he is expecting to make a large gain from which is why he is pushing this agenda to others. 

[Social Media]

A link to a CONSPIRACY-PSEUDOSCIENCE website has been removed

[marin]

Right here is what Taksin is terrified, literally terrified of. Smart people and the youth. The ones who dont follow mainstream old style news and want change. They have put up with having two elections stolen. Look at this poll from social media, not legacy news, Anyone can figure out the translation. Its time....

 

 

[Karma80]

I'm glad he was banned from politics and interference and sticking to his word for just wanting to see out his end of days in his homeland /s

[Ironmike]

I do believe he was ordered by the courts to not have anything to do with political BS in this country so why is he not locked up yet?????Taksinis only trying to fill his pockets with more gold then he had before they need to lock him up before he does another runner. 

Bring back Chan-o-chat Taksin is scared of him, to be honest this country ran better under the military rule then Taksin has ever done,, throw that whole family into prison. 

[Nickcage49]

Yes her "uncle" had a hand in the murder of as many as 2 million people in Cambodia in the 70's. Just sayin.

[hotchilli]

20 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

it really is disturbing the amount control he has over legitimate government officials

Even they're questionable

[kingstonkid]

20 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

I would love to know exactly what Thaksin has over the whole on the government, everyone appears to $hit scared of upsetting him, it really is disturbing the amount control he has over legitimate government officials. None appear to have a pair !!!!

 

It's not so much what he has over them It's  how much money he can make them.

[wensiensheng]

2 hours ago, JAG said:

Popular support.

 

Less than he had before the rise of PPP or whatever they are called now, but still massively more than the various parties which make up the yellow underpants squad!

 

There is another source of support of course - that is why he came back.

 

It is universally accepted that he, and his regimes were corrupt, but the fact (common knowledge) that he is being pursued by people, agencies and networks unashamedly as, if not more corrupt than him, rather cancels that out; and despite everything he still commands great support amongst the people. Why? Because pragmatically he is the only effective figure in current Thai politics, since the emasculation of the orange movement, which has ever paid more than lip service to the needs and ambitions of the "lower stratas" in this society.

Well there was a pretty popular guy and party that contested the last election. Because of popular support they got the most votes.

But you don’t see them in the government.

Popular support is now over rated in terms of Thai politics. Back in the day of PPP it meant something. The new army sponsored constitution saw to that.

[wensiensheng]

1 hour ago, Nickcage49 said:

Yes her "uncle" had a hand in the murder of as many as 2 million people in Cambodia in the 70's. Just sayin.

I think it’s a stretch to say that. As in, it’s not true. I can’t find a single reference to his being involved with the Khmer Rouge.

 

He would have been in his early twenties then. Unlikely to be a leading light in Pol Pots regime

[Sydebolle]

How nice that all the voters needs are so nicely wrapped up professionally to advance Thailand as a whole and the individual voter in particular. 

 

[SOTIRIOS]

...Hasn't This Perverse Aberration Gone On Long Enough...(?)