Pheu Thai must pivot

The Pheu Thai Party, once a titan in Thai politics, has no time to waste in regathering its bearings. As its ministers and administrative staff collect their belongings at Government House, the party must reflect on its short-lived, arguably ineffective tenure and urgently transform itself into a viable choice for voters.

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There is no doubt that a stronger Pheu Thai will be beneficial for the public. This is the party that transformed Thai elections from a personality-driven game to a genuine contest of policies that truly benefit people - delivering universal healthcare and economic initiatives that changed millions of lives.

But after its recent loss of power, Pheu Thai finds itself at a crossroads. Its leader, former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was sacked by the Constitutional Court for ethics violations, and its "spiritual leader", Thaksin Shinawatra, was sentenced to one year in prison.

Apart from its lacklustre performance on bread-andbutter issues, its seesaw political ideology has become a source of distrust, especially when compared to the more radical People's Party.