Yingluck [Shinawatra] agonises over taking top [opposition] job [in Thailand]

Yingluck: Undecided

Mingkwan: Chief rival

Virabongsa: Has potential

Puea Thai leadership hangs in the balance

6/01/2011
Bangkok Post

Many Puea Thai Party MPs are backing Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, for the job of party leader.

Ms Yingluck is said not to have decided yet whether she wants the job, but her chief rival, Mingkwan Saengsuwan, is busy sounding out MPs about his chances.

As uncertainties over the Puea Thai leadership drag on, Ms Yingluck's name has been mentioned together with that of Mr Mingkwan and former finance minister Virabongsa Ramangkura as possible party heads.

The present leader, former career bureaucrat Yongyuth Wichaidit, may not be a strong enough name to help the party pull votes at the next election.

A Puea Thai source said Mr Virabongsa's strengths as a possible Puea Thai Party leader and candidate for prime minister were that he was seen as neutral by the public and was knowledgeable in politics and economic matters. However, Mr Virabongsa has rejected the overtures as he considers politics to be in an unusual phase. His participation would do more harm than good to himself.

Both Mr Mingkwan and Ms Yingluck have a successful track record in business.

Mr Mingkwan is a former executive of Toyota Motor Thailand and director of the state-run MCOT.

Ms Yingluck proved she has business acumen during her tenure at SC Asset Plc and Advanced Info Service Plc.

Many members of the Puea Thai Party are seen as preferring Ms Yingluck to Mr Mingkwan as she is the younger sister of Thaksin and should be able to secure their political hopes better in terms of work aspirations and funding.

Both Mr Mingkwan and Ms Yingluck are considered relatively inexperienced in politics.

Ms Yingluck, however, has attended meetings of Puea Thai executive committee.

She did not make any decisions at those meetings but she is aware of party issues and won the respect of MPs.

Mr Mingkwan, meanwhile, is trying to build support for his leadership bid. He has approached key figures including party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, head of the party MPs Chalerm Yubamrung and even Ms Yingluck.

Mr Mingkwan asked some Puea Thai MPs who favour him for the job to meet Thaksin overseas to woo support for his leadership bid.

Thaksin said he wanted Mr Mingkwan to prove his leadership qualities by leading the next censure debate.

Puea Thai MP for Chiang Mai Surapong Towijakchaikul said Ms Yingluck came across as humble.

Many Puea Thai members back her because they believe she could become the country's first female prime minister.