(Thailand, 15th) The Pheu Thai Party, which has close ties with former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, announced its decision to join the coalition government led by the conservative Bhumjaithai Party, sparking mixed reactions among its supporters. Pheu Thai Party’s prime ministerial candidate Paetongtarn Shinawatra issued an apology to supporters who may feel uneasy, emphasizing that the decision was made after internal party discussion and with the approval of a majority of its members.
Paetongtarn is the niece of Thaksin. According to the Bangkok Post, Paetongtarn posted on Facebook on Saturday (Feb 14), admitting that for a party like Pheu Thai—with extensive experience in governance and widely recognized policies—supporting the formation of a government with Bhumjaithai was a tough decision.
She said: “To anyone feeling unsettled by this decision, I sincerely apologize. I have read and listened to all the comments and opinions, and respect every viewpoint.”
Pheu Thai, led by Paetongtarn, met with caretaker Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday (13th), and agreed to join the coalition government led by Bhumjaithai to form a new administration together.
In addition, responding to the disappointment expressed by supporters over the party’s election results, Paetongtarn said that Pheu Thai respects and accepts the people's choices, and will do its utmost to fulfill its campaign promises.
She emphasized that the current most urgent task is to revive the national economy and improve people's livelihoods. “We will work tirelessly every minute to prove our ability to deliver on our promises and to rebuild public trust.
“I am ready to shoulder this responsibility. Even though I entered politics at a time when Pheu Thai was defeated, I will stand by the party until the day we achieve victory together.”
According to unofficial vote counts, Pheu Thai won 74 parliamentary seats in the election on February 8, becoming the third largest party in parliament. Bhumjaithai Party won 193 seats, making it the largest party in parliament. The previous election's big winner, the People's Party, only secured 118 seats this time and came in second; the People's Party has already declared that it will act as the opposition and will not join the coalition government.
She said: “To anyone feeling unsettled by this decision, I sincerely apologize. I have read and listened to all the comments and opinions, and respect every viewpoint.”
Pheu Thai, led by Paetongtarn, met with caretaker Prime Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul on Friday (13th), and agreed to join the coalition government led by Bhumjaithai to form a new administration together.
In addition, responding to the disappointment expressed by supporters over the party’s election results, Paetongtarn said that Pheu Thai respects and accepts the people's choices, and will do its utmost to fulfill its campaign promises.
She emphasized that the current most urgent task is to revive the national economy and improve people's livelihoods. “We will work tirelessly every minute to prove our ability to deliver on our promises and to rebuild public trust.
“I am ready to shoulder this responsibility. Even though I entered politics at a time when Pheu Thai was defeated, I will stand by the party until the day we achieve victory together.”
According to unofficial vote counts, Pheu Thai won 74 parliamentary seats in the election on February 8, becoming the third largest party in parliament. Bhumjaithai Party won 193 seats, making it the largest party in parliament. The previous election's big winner, the People's Party, only secured 118 seats this time and came in second; the People's Party has already declared that it will act as the opposition and will not join the coalition government.