As embattled Thai PM Prayuth courts a general’s favour, another Shinawatra eyes power
- Prayuth’s recent dinner date with his top cabinet members comes amid an economic crisis and a controversy over the length of his tenure
- Meanwhile, amid talk of an early election, Prayuth faces a new challenger – ex-PM Thaksin’s youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, who got married in Hong Kong in 2019
The junta general’s aloofness and temper has been well-reported, as well as his tendency to keep subordinates on a tight leash – cabinet members are often seen looking subdued in meetings or at press conferences, where reporters have also been on the receiving end of Prayuth’s wrath.
But amid a pandemic-induced economic crisis that has sent household debts and inflation soaring, Prayuth’s public popularity has plunged, with his background in defence seen as a weakness in dealing with complex issues. His seat could also run out of constitutional support as it reaches an eight-year limit for a prime minister’s tenure in August, raising questions of how much time he has in power.
Thus Prayuth’s sudden display of warmth for his politicians – especially long-time ally and former army personnel Prawit Wongsuwan, who leads the Palang Pracharath party that nominated Prayuth in the 2019 election – has been viewed as an effort to keep the coalition in line.
Eight-year limit
Debate over the correct end of Prayuth’s tenure has flared in recent months. When he led a coup that toppled Yingluck Shinawatra in May 2014, Prayuth received a royal decree to start his premiership in August.
