After just a month in public office, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing growing political pressure. The latest pressure comes from Sondhi Limthongkul, a former leader of the yellow-shirt movement, who previously led protests against her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, ultimately forcing him into 17 years of self-imposed exile abroad.
The yellow-shirt leader last week said he is ready to hold another street protest early next year to oust Ms Paetongtarn and eradicate what he calls the "Thaksin regime". In response, Ms Paetongtarn has expressed disappointment, urging critics to give her government time, having only been in office for a month. She encouraged those with concerns to bring their demands to the table for discussion rather than resorting to protests.
According to the latest quarterly poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida), Ms Paetongtarn now leads the pack. It is the first time that she has emerged first and ahead of Pita Limjaroenrat, the former leader of the now-disbanded Move Forward Party, who had always topped previous polls.
She has been actively taking on leadership roles. Her engagement in tackling the floods in the North has earned her good reviews from the media. Another major achievement was initiating the 10,000-baht digital wallet scheme, which rolled out the first phase of payments to 14.5 million vulnerable groups and the disabled. Her humble demeanour, especially towards senior officials, despite holding the country's highest office, has earned her praise.
However, being the daughter of Thaksin, Ms Paetongtarn cannot escape the political scrutiny that has followed her every step. Numerous complaints have been filed against both Ms Paetongtarn and the Pheu Thai Party, calling for investigations into their qualifications and ethical standards.
Last week, Paiboon Nititawan, secretary-general of the Palang Pracharath Party, ousted from the ruling coalition by Pheu Thai, claimed that major legal challenges could culminate in the downfall of Pheu Thai and collapse of the government if not handled properly. Nevertheless, Pheu Thai's executives and the prime minister's advisers have downplayed these claims, saying none of the complaints pose a significant threat to the administration.
Although it may seem premature for street protests to occur, the premier cannot dismiss the looming threat. If these protests gain momentum and attract widespread public participation, they could bring down her administration.
The Paetongtarn government remains vulnerable on several fronts, including allegations of legal favouritism and special treatment for Thaksin during his incarceration. Additionally, controversial policies, such as the proposal to legalise casinos under the guise of "entertainment complexes", extending land leases to foreigners for 99 years, and legalising certain underground businesses, are a hotbed for protests.
The endurance of the Paetongtarn government will hinge on her ability to demonstrate dedication to the country's welfare and public good. If her administration can implement policies that benefit the people, rather than serving political interests or benefiting select groups, and do so with integrity, transparency, and a firm commitment to fighting corruption, she will have a strong defence against any protests. Only then can Ms Paetongtarn's government rise above the turmoil and secure its place in Thailand's future.