On October 22, Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin and a symbolic face of the Pheu Thai Party, officially announced her resignation as Party Chairman.
In a statement to the media, she affirmed that this is the first step in the comprehensive restructuring of Pheu Thai, in preparation for the general election considered the mainstay of the Thai political system.
Today I have decided to leave the position of Chairman of the Pheu Thai Party with the desire to launch a comprehensive reform, building a new brave Party with a true vision for the people - Ms. Paetongtarn wrote in the statement.
According to her, the volatile global context and the upcoming election require Pheu Thai - a key political force for decades - to change from structure, process to thinking, if he wants to regain his position and "revive Thailand" after a period of political stagnation.
Internal sources said the decision was made after an urgent meeting with the Executive Committee and lawmakers Pheu Thai. Immediately afterwards, Party Secretary General Sorawong Thienthong confirmed that the main reason for Ms. Paetongtarn's withdrawal was to protect the party's candidates and lawmakers.
According to Mr. Sorawong, the recent ruling of the Constitutional Court on leadership ethics - which forced Ms. Paetongtarn to leave the prime minister's chair - has become a political tool that opponents can use to put pressure on Pheu Thai.
She does not want that verdict to be used to threaten lawmakers or damage the partys image. If there is anything she can do to protect Pheu Thai, she will, and that is the reason for her resignation, said Mr. Sorawong.
Despite leaving her official leadership position, Ms. Paetongtarn still holds the role of head of the "Pheu Thai Family" - a deep influence network in the party, gathering loyal to the Shinawatra family.
Mr. Sorawong reassured public opinion that Ms. Paetongtarn's departure did not disrupt Pheu Thai, and emphasized that she had pledged comprehensive support for the new board.
"If their hearts were still with Pheu Thai, no one would leave. People coming and going is normal, the important thing is that the party must change to survive" - he added.
Observers say Paetongtarn's decision is a strategic move, allowing Pheu Thai Party to "transform" in the context of opposition parties accelerating preparations for the highly anticipated election next year.
