Fierce race for Thailand's Prime Minister

Bangkok [Thailand], April 7: Top candidates are actively campaigning for support with policy commitments that promise a better outlook for Thailand.
Today, April 4 is the deadline for candidates running for Prime Minister of Thailand to register with the National Election Commission, starting the final race before the general election on May 14. Many parties have nominated representatives and made policy commitments if elected. Among the candidates is incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha, although he can only rule for two more years if he wins the election. In addition, Ms. PaetongtarnShinawatra, a descendant of two prime ministers, is also hoping to bring the Shinawatra family back to power.
The determination of the incumbent leader
The United Thailand National Party (UTN), of which Prime Minister Prayuth (69) is the chief strategist, has pledged to run for election to focus on the development of a strong grassroots economy. The Bangkok Post on April 6 quoted AnuchaNakasai from the UTN's economic team as saying that the party would continue to expand infrastructure and transport projects initiated by the government. In addition, the party pledged to promote tourism to generate income for local people. UTN also launched a policy to improve people's quality of life, focusing on farmers who make up the majority, including a plan to supply cows to 1 million farmers.
General Prayuth has led Thailand for nearly eight years since directing the August 2014 coup that toppled the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Another general involved in the coup is the incumbent Deputy Prime Minister PrawitWongsuwon (78 years old) representing the PalangPracharat party also running for election. Mr. Prawit said his strength is being able to act as a bridge between conservative and democratic forces.
New faces
The election was generally a contest between political groups backed by the royalist army and the opposition, notably the Pheu Thai party with the backing of the Shinawatra family and its economic allies. business, according to Reuters. Pheu Thai nominated Ms. Paetongtarn (37 years old), a new face in politics but hopes to attract voters who once supported her father and aunt, two former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra. and Yingluck Shinawatra. Pheu Thai also nominated two other candidates, former Justice Minister ChaikasemNitisiri, who is a party adviser, and SretthaThavisin, who recently resigned as CEO of Sansiri, a leading conglomerate in Thailand's real estate sector. . Analysts say Mr. Srettha, a 60-year-old businessman well known in the business community, will help counterbalance thoughts that Paetongtarn is inexperienced.
According to the Bangkok Post, Pheu Thai on April 4 announced a campaign policy with the goal of creating a better future for people by increasing incomes, reforming the justice system and upgrading infrastructure to increase competitiveness. . The focus of the campaign is on a commitment to apply technology and innovation to develop the country and improve people's livelihoods. Ms. Paetongtarn emphasized that these two fields will play a role in promoting national development.
Another young face is leader Pita Limjaroenrat, 42, of the Progressive Party, the only party calling for an amendment to the law with a penalty of up to 15 years in prison for insulting the royal family. Mr. Pita's policies include promoting the role of small business, dealing with monopolies and ending military service. The party's supporters are mostly young voters.
Anti-corruption
The Thai Democratic Party introduced its leader, JurinLaksanawisit, to run for prime minister. The party is committed to promoting anti-corruption initiatives and considers it a matter of national urgency. AlongkornPonlaboot, the party's vice-chairman, said that corruption had reached a crisis level and needed joint efforts to deal with it, according to the Bangkok Post. "Anti-corruption efforts must be on the national agenda so that human and material resources can be effectively utilized," he said. The party plans to organize a forum called "Listen, think, act against corruption", to collect opinions to shape anti-corruption policies to continue campaigning.
Another candidate is Public Health Minister AnutinCharnvirakul representing the Bhumjaithai Party. According to Reuters, Mr. Anutin has overseen the blockade, treatment and purchase of vaccines to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic. He was commended for restarting tourism through a visitor vaccination program.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper