Thaksin backs Sudarat for top job over rival

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who pundits claim still controls the Pheu Thai Party from overseas, wants Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan to remain his nominee as its official leader, said a well-placed source within the exruling party.

Thaksin reportedly brooked no criticism of Khunying Sudarat during a series of meetings in Hong Kong in recent days between Thaksin and groups of former Pheu Thai MPs for the northern and northeastern provinces.

The source confirmed that some former MPs who travelled to Hong Kong have little regard for Khunying Sudarat and have instead thrown their support behind ex-transport minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal.

They hope to see him lead the party — even if only as a proxy for Thaksin, whose caretaker government was ousted in a 2006 coup — the source added.

As such, all of the MPs were reportedly met with the same message from Thaksin in Hong Kong when they tried to broach the subject of Khunying Sudarat’s shortcomings: “Don’t say anything. It’s not time [to discuss that]”.

Many of the MPs were ruffled by his response, the source said.

Gp Capt Anudith Nakornthap, a former Bangkok MP and close acquaintance of the politician, said media reports claiming there is a growing sense of contempt for Khunying Sudarat lack substance.

The party is now led by two men: Pol Lt Gen Viroj Pao-in, its acting leader, and Phumtham Wechayachai, its acting secretary-general, Gp Capt Anudith said.

Asked whether he knew of any attempt to discredit Khunying Sudarat, Gp Capt Anudith dismissed such talk as groundless.

He said the new leader will be selected only when the National Council for Peach and Order (NCPO) lifts its long ban that stops parties from engaging in political activities.

On Sunday, a different Pheu Thai source quoted Thaksin as saying he had received a growing number of complaints from visitors about problems in working with Khunying Sudarat, which made him concerned about the possible long-term impact of this matter.

It was unclear if he made the remarks on Saturday or Sunday.

Thaksin was also concerned about a lasting rift between Khunying Sudarat and former deputy prime minister Chalerm Yubamrung, which has been affecting the party’s unity already, said the source.

Thaksin has resolved to curb his growing contempt for Khunying Sudarat by assigning more part-time managerial work to Mr Pongsak, he said.

This beefs up Mr Pongsak’s managerial role in the party, said the source, adding that he was among a handful of party executives having a chance to meet Thaksin and former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra in China recently.

Mr Phumtham on Monday refused to confirm media reports about Thaksin’s decision to assign certain work details to various factions.

He said the party will be able to make any decision about its new leader after the NCPO lifts its ban on the political activities.