September 6, 2024
BANGKOK – Pheu Thai patriarch Thaksin Shinawatra has entrusted his long-time ally, Phumtham Wechayachai, to play the role of guardian angel for his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Phumtham has been appointed defence minister and deputy PM for security affairs because Thaksin wants to shield Paetongtarn from manoeuvring by the armed forces. The military has previously staged two coups against Shinawatra-led governments, making Phumtham’s role crucial.
Earlier speculation that Paetongtarn would concurrently hold the post of defence minister was apparently a decoy, with Thaksin well aware his daughter is too inexperienced to deal with the seasoned generals, who are manoeuvring for power even among themselves.
Pheu Thai sources believe Phumtham was entrusted with the crucial task because he established deep ties with the armed forces under the tenure of Paetongtarn’s predecessor, Srettha Thavisin.
Phumtham’s experience as a political and military strategist dates back to the 1970s, when he joined the Communist Party of Thailand and was known as Comrade Yai.
As a result, Thaksin is confident Phumtham will know what the military is up to and be able to take action to save Paetongtarn from any threat.
Pheu Thai sources confirmed that Phumtham is among Thaksin’s most trusted aides, having helped him found the Thai Rak Thai Party in 1998.
The sources said Phumtham is also prudent and listens to advice from subordinates. His clout and experience should also earn him respect among senior police and military officers.
Under the previous government, generals preferred to communicate with PM Srettha via Phumtham, who has a better understanding of the armed forces’ structure. Srettha reportedly once summoned the chief of an armed force and ordered him to carry out a duty that was the responsibility of a separate armed force.
Realising that Phumtham was better at handling the armed forces, Srettha put him in charge of military affairs during the latter part of his tenure.
While Phumtham’s official role as defence minister is crucial, his core duty is to help the inexperienced PM run the economy.
As a result, Phumtham will get help in overseeing the military from Deputy Defence Minister Gen Nattapon Nakphanit of the United Thai Nation Party.
Nattapon built a reputation as a capable person under Srettha’s year-long administration. He served as secretary to then defence minister Sutin Klungsang and helped resolve differences between the government and armed forces over Pheu Thai policy. For example, he managed to convince the generals to give up military land for the government to distribute to the poor.
But since Nattapon is not a Pheu Thai member, Thaksin cannot trust the general 100%. As a result, Phumtham has been appointed to supervise Nattapon and ensure that the military poses no threat to Paetongtarn’s leadership.