Despite the image of economic expertise, the Pheu Thai government and Prime Minister Srettha have failed to improve the economy after nearly a year in power, even though the Covid crisis is long over, leading to widespread disappointment.
The Pheu Thai government had promised financial aid of 10,000 baht but has failed to deliver after almost a year in power, with no immediate relief measures for the population, despite repeatedly stating that the economy is in crisis.
Some citizens compare this to the Prayut government, which has regularly implemented short-term relief measures and introduced popular policies such as “50/50”, leading many to recall and compare his regime with the Srettha government.
Prayut has achieved tangible results such as developing transport infrastructure, especially highways and railway systems, while Srettha’s government has yet to show many concrete achievements.
The political involvement of the father-daughter duo of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Paetongtarn Shinawatra Shinawatra has not boosted the popularity of the Pheu Thai government, but rather attracted criticism, particularly over Thaksin’s soft power measures and political maneuvering.
The Pheu Thai party came to power by taking over from the majority party (Move Forward), which reduced its legitimacy in the eyes of many. Its failure to deliver satisfactory results once in power only intensified the backlash.
Overall, the current situation of the Pheu Thai government reflects its most intense efforts, but the results do not live up to the expectations of the general public or Pheu Thai supporters. Although it has been in power for less than a year, it feels much longer.
It must be acknowledged that, ahead of the 2023 elections, the Thai public felt a strong sense of fatigue with “Uncle Tu” and hoped that the newly elected government would bring positive changes. However, the results have been disappointing.
This disappointment is amplified by high expectations.
