On March 25, 2023, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, was officially nominated for re-election as his party’s first candidate for the country’s next leader in polls set for May 14. Prayuth, who is 69 years old, is running with the new United Thai Nation Party and will likely face Pheu Thai party’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter and niece of two former premiers from the billionaire family.
Prayuth has been in power since 2014 when the military toppled a civilian government. He was elected as a civilian leader in 2019. Although he has lagged behind rivals in opinion polls, Prayuth hopes to win over supporters with promises of looking after the wellbeing of the people and the country’s stability, and protecting the monarchy.
At a party event to introduce its candidates for all 400 constituencies, Prayuth said, “We volunteer to make everyone as happy as possible.” He also stated that his next government would continue the work of his current administration with a steady hand and the slogan: “Have done, doing and will continue.” Party leader Pirapan Salirathavibhaga was nominated as the party’s No. 2 candidate for prime minister.
Thailand’s election is expected to be a showdown between elite establishment and pro-democracy forces that have dominated politics in the Southeast Asian country for decades.
