Thai political party Pheu Thai vows to return following defeat in PM election vote

The election outcome in Thailand has left the opposition Pheu Thai party with a significant challenge: focusing on the opposition bench instead of implementing its policies, including the much-touted 20-baht flat fare for mass transit in Greater Bangkok.

Despite a last-minute bid to gain backing from the People's Party, Pheu Thai's candidate, Chaikasem Nitisiri, was defeated in the parliamentary vote for Prime Minister. This defeat has forced the party to reconsider its position and declare its readiness to serve as the opposition.

The statement from Pheu Thai indicates that some of their policies were left incomplete due to the election outcome. Among these unfinished policies is the 20-baht flat fare for mass transit in Greater Bangkok, a flagship policy of Pheu Thai that remains unfulfilled.

The election outcome has been a direct result of Pheu Thai's inability to implement all of its policies. The party had promised a swift House dissolution as part of its bid to gain backing from the People's Party, but this was not enough to secure a victory.

The defeat has also led to a shift in the political landscape, with the People's Party now sharing the opposition bench with Pheu Thai. Among the defected Pheu Thai MPs was Chalerm Ubamrung, a long-time critic of Thaksin Shinawatra, the current leader of the Pheu Thai party. Nine Pheu Thai MPs defected to support the rival candidate.

Despite these setbacks, Pheu Thai has expressed its intention to return and complete the policies it had to leave behind. The party has not yet announced a new leader, but the immediate leadership role remains within the Shinawatra family influence.

The 20-baht flat fare for mass transit in Greater Bangkok remains a key policy that Pheu Thai hopes to implement in the future. The policy, if implemented, would significantly reduce the cost of public transportation for millions of commuters in the region.

As the opposition, Pheu Thai will have a crucial role to play in holding the government accountable for its actions and ensuring that the needs of the people are met. The party's focus on the 20-baht flat fare for mass transit in Greater Bangkok is a clear indication of its commitment to improving the lives of ordinary Thai citizens.

In the meantime, the people of Greater Bangkok will continue to wait for the implementation of this policy, which has the potential to transform the way they commute and significantly improve their quality of life. Only time will tell if Pheu Thai will be able to deliver on this promise.