HIGH STAKES FOR SHINAWATRAS
Nine days ago, the same court that dismissed Srettha over a cabinet appointment also dissolved the anti-establishment Move Forward Party - the 2023 election winner - over a campaign to amend a law against insulting the crown, which it said risked undermining the constitutional monarchy.
The hugely popular opposition, Pheu Thai's biggest challenger, has since regrouped under a new vehicle, People's Party.
The upheaval in the past few days also indicates a breakdown in a fragile truce struck between Thaksin and his rivals in the establishment and military old guard, which had enabled the tycoon's dramatic return from 15 years of self-exile in 2023 and ally Srettha to become premier the same day.
Thaksin's gamble on Paetongtarn at such a critical juncture surprised many analysts, who expected him to delay his dynasty and avoid exposing his daughter to the type of battles that led to the downfall of himself and his sister Yingluck, who both fled overseas to avoid jail after their governments were ousted by the military.
"This is a big bet for Thaksin. There is a possibility for her to fail and that is a big risk for the entire Shinawatra dynasty," said Titipol Phakdeewanich, a political scientist at Ubon Ratchathani University.
"If she can't bring the economy back and bring the party back then it could be the end because the People's Party is gaining more momentum after their dissolution."
($1=35.1000 baht)
REUTERS
Editor's Choice: Thailand Politics Braces for Shakeup After Court Dismisses PM Srettha Thavisin
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
