Pheu Thai may field Kittiratt for governor

Kittiratt’s selection could be a Pheu Thai strategy to kill two birds with one stone. 

First, it would remove him from the Cabinet after his “white lie” controversy brought much negative publicity for the government, which would help reduce pressure on the ruling party. Second, the move could lessen the conflict between some party factions revolving around Kittiratt and his position as the head of the government’s economic team.

Thaksin Shinawatra, referred to as the “big boss” by many Pheu Thai politicians, is reportedly unhappy with Kittiratt’s performance, amid mounting public discontent over the rising cost of living and other economic problems.

Kittiratt, who is also the deputy prime minister in charge of economic matters, recently admitted to having told a “white lie” about the country’s economic growth. He said that as the head of the government’s economic team, he was allowed to “utter white lies sometimes” to boost confidence in the country’s economy.

The remarks led to heavy attacks from critics and opposition politicians, who pointed to a possible cover-up and lies by the government on other matters. 

A recent public opinion survey found that 66 per cent of the respondents said they had less faith in the government after the finance minister admitted to having lied, and 83 per cent of them wanted him to resign to take responsibility.

During yesterday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Kittiratt failed to show up again to respond to queries by opposition Democrat MP Kiat Sitthee-amorn about his “white lie” remark as well as the government measures to fight economic problems. The finance minister had also been absent from the previous question session on August 30.

A Pheu Thai source said yesterday that choosing Kittiratt as its candidate for the upcoming governor election did not mean the party would “raise the white flag” to the Democrat Party, to which incumbent Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra belongs. The source said Kittiratt was Pheu Thai’s best – not desperate – choice.

“Don’t forget the fact that Thaksin is a master of polls. His decision is always based on the scientific principle. The decision to support any particular candidate certainly is not based on his feeling,” the source said.

However, the selection of Kittiratt may cause displeasure among supporters of certain Pheu Thai politicians earlier believed to be its candidate, particularly veteran politician Sudarat Keyuraphan, a key figure among Pheu Thai’s Bangkok politicians. She is reportedly not favoured by certain members of the Shinawatra family who have retained influence in the ruling party.

At a Pheu Thai meeting yesterday in preparation for the governor’s election, some participants shouted: “We support Sudarat.” Yingluck, who chaired the meeting, promised to “hear all the voices” but added that the party would have to “answer the questions of Bangkok residents”.

Sudarat has not made it clear publicly whether she wants to run for Bangkok governor, although her name has been mentioned often.