Loved by the rural poor for policies including cheap healthcare and the minimum wage, Thaksin is reviled by the kingdom’s elite, who saw his 2001 to 2006 rule as corrupt, authoritarian and a threat to the Thai social order.
Pheu Thai’s coalition shuts out MFP, and so despite winning most seats, the party will sit in opposition, with leader Pita on Tuesday saying that Pheu Thai’s coalition “contradicted the wishes of the people”.
Srettha received congratulations from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Cambodia’s new Prime Minister Hun Manet.
He has promised to tackle poverty and inequality after years of anaemic economic growth and a feeble recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which battered the kingdom’s crucial tourism industry.
During the campaign, Pheu Thai pledged a US$300 handout to every Thai over 16 to stimulate spending, and vowed to boost the minimum daily wage from US$10 to US$17 by 2027.
“We’ll have to wait and see if the PM-designate will be able to deliver what he promised to Thais,” noodle seller Saranya, 45, told AFP.
“And how long it takes for him to implement those policies.”
