Sansiri CEO joins Pheu Thai Party as senior advisor

Thailand’s opposition Pheu Thai Party appointed a property tycoon to be a senior adviser. 

Srettha Thavisin, the 60-year-old CEO of real estate developer Sansiri, will advise the largest opposition party on economic matters in the run-up to the general election, according to party leader Cholanon Srikaew.

While there was no confirmation that he will be one of the party’s candidates for prime minister in the election now set for May, it was widely anticipated that he would be tapped to do so alongside Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Under Thailand’s new constitution, political parties can name up to three candidates for premier prior to the election.

The news of Srettha joining Pheu Thai was not an utter surprise, however. There had been loud rumors for months that he was “seriously considering” joining Pheu Thai. 

The business mogul has recently emerged as a vocal critic of the military-backed government’s policies, particularly through his Twitter account. He has publicly advocated for fair access to economic opportunities and said that reducing inequality should be on the national agenda.

Sansiri PLC is one of Thailand’s largest property developers and is responsible for hundreds of projects nationwide. This year, the company aims to launch over 50 projects worth THB75 billion altogether.