BANGKOK, Oct 22 — Former Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra resigned as leader of the Pheu Thai Party on Wednesday, to pave the way for party reforms ahead of the general election next year.
The 39-year-old said her decision to step down was in line with her earlier announcement on October 7 to move forward with a new vision and bring about genuine changes for the people.
“Today, I have decided to resign from my position as leader of the Pheu Thai Party, with the intention of initiating a comprehensive reform of the party,” she announced during a meeting at the party’s headquarters today.
Paetongtarn added that, as one of the country’s main political parties, Pheu Thai must undergo a major transformation; overhauling its structure, processes, and mindset, to secure victory in the next election and, in turn, revitalise and rebuild the nation.
“We are now living in an era where global society is fragile, complex, sensitive, and unpredictable. Thailand is entering one of its most critical transitions.
”With the general election approaching, I firmly believe that the reform of the Pheu Thai Party must begin without delay. Thus, I have chosen to step down as party leader to allow the party the freedom to reform itself and build a stronger, more complete Pheu Thai,” she said.
Paetongtarn confirmed that she would remain a Pheu Thai Party member and would continue to work for the party and the Thai people. The party has yet to announce her successor.
Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and niece of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, was elected as party leader in 2023.
In April 2023, she was officially nominated as one of the Pheu Thai Party’s three prime ministerial candidates for the general election, alongside Srettha Thavisin and Chaikasem Nitisiri.
Following the Constitutional Court’s dismissal of Srettha Thavisin as prime minister on August 14 last year, Pheu Thai Party nominated Paetongtarn to succeed him.
She secured a majority vote in Parliament on August 16 and was officially sworn in two days later, becoming Thailand’s 31st prime minister — and the youngest in the country’s history.
However, on August 29 this year, the Constitutional Court terminated Paetongtarn's premiership, finding her guilty of an ethical breach related to a leaked phone call with Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
