Pheu Thai nominates Thaksin's nephew as Thai PM candidate

Billionaire politician Thaksin Shinawatra's family, which has dominated Thai politics this century, has nominated another member of the dynasty as a prime minister candidate in the election scheduled for early 2026.

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Associate Professor Yodchanan Wongsawat, Thaksin's nephew and son of former leader Somchai Wongsawat, headed a roster of three prime minister candidates of the Pheu Thai Party announced on Dec 16. Mr Julapun Amornvivat, a former deputy finance minister who also leads the party, and veteran politician Suriya Juangroongruangkit are the other nominees.

Thailand is set to hold a general election on Feb 8 following the dissolution of Parliament last week by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who is banking on the nationalist sentiment stirred by an armed conflict with neighbour Cambodia to return to power. Investors will be closely watching the election outcome as Thailand has been rocked by bouts of political upheaval, with Mr Anutin being the third prime minister to lead the country since the last election in 2023.