Coalition Quagmire Awaits New Thai Leader After Thaksin’s Return
- Srettha set to lead uneasy coalition of populists, royalists
- Thaksin’s return from exile reshapes Thai political equations
This article is for subscribers only.
Thailand’s Srettha Thavisin may soon find that winning the prime minister’s job was easier than running a coalition government made up of 11 parties previously seen as sworn enemies.
After three months of post-election haggling, Srettha’s coalition — a mix of populist and conservative parties — is likely to be shaky, analysts say, since it was born out of a deal that centered around former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s return from 15-years of exile. Thaksin, who was jailed upon arrival over corruption cases but may get a royal pardon, is the de facto head of the Pheu Thai party leading the coalition.