Bangkok Post SmartEdition

Convention of reinvention

The Pheu Thai Party is embarking on a major makeover, releasing a set of posters that turns heads as it prepares for its annual meeting in the northeastern province of Khon Kaen Oct 28.

The main poster bears a tagline, “tomorrow Pheu Thai for a new life for the people”, for the upcoming event, while the others feature various groups of people such as farmers, SMEs, LGBTQ+ and the elderly, along with new slogans.

When put together, the party promises to bring them all a better tomorrow.

Pheu Thai spokeswoman Arunee Kasayanont said the meeting’s theme on Oct 28 is designed to reclaim human dignity and a better quality of life for Thais.

Amid the Covid-19 crisis, they have been plunged into despair as poverty, unemployment and inequality increase.

At the meeting Pheu Thai MPs and experts will come together to share their visions of tomorrow to revive the hopes and dreams of all Thai people, she said.

Party heavyweights and members are gearing up for the event, changing their cover photos on Facebook and other social media accounts to display the campaign posters, which can also be seen on the back of tuk-tuks in central Bangkok and the sides of song-taew buses in the city of Khon Kaen.

What captures the attention of political observers the most is the use of the colour red; the party has apparently ditched its usual blue and opted for a white font on a bright red background.

They also notice that the words: “tomorrow Pheu Thai” are not written out in a normal font, but in a style resembling the handwriting of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is regarded as the party’s de facto leader.

According to observers, the “tomorrow Pheu Thai” campaign indicates radical changes are coming within the party and is very consistent with Thaksin’s political talks in ClubHouse.

The self-exiled ex-prime minister has discussed changes in detail and one element is how older politicians should step aside and make way for younger ones.

Describing himself and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as being in the “babyboomer” generation, Thaksin said it is time for Generation X and Y people to step in and take over.

Thanks to Thaksin’s comments, political observers hope that the Oct 28 event will give them a sneak peek at the party’s potential prime ministerial candidates.

It is the only major political party that has yet to announce who it will back as prime minister after the next general election.

There has been talk about the possibility of people in or close to the Shinawatra family being put forward. Interest is being focused on Srettha Thavisin, chief executive of real estate developer Sansiri, who has recently been touted as a potential candidate.

Speculation is intensifying after Surapong Suebwonglee, a former senior Pheu Thai member, vouched for the tycoon.

According to Dr Surapong, Mr Srettha is definitely a good choice to take over from Gen Prayut.

However, sceptics wonder if Mr Srettha fits the bill given Thaksin’s remark about younger people becoming party flag bearers.

At 58, he does not fall into the “young” category, but he is a fresh face in Thai politics who can communicate with younger and older generations alike, according to observers.

Mr Srettha, who is reportedly a close friend of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, has so far maintained that he has no interest in entering politics.

A source in Pheu Thai insists the search for prime ministerial candidates is not over and the “big boss” wants someone who can truly attract support from young generations.

The list of potential candidates will not be ready unless the general election is in sight and the party is expected to make an announcement as soon as the House is dissolved, according to the source.

SPOTLIGHT

en-th

2021-10-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-23T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://bangkokpost.pressreader.com/article/281792812229735

Bangkok Post Public Company Limited