By Thai Vista News Reporters

POTJAMAN NA POMBEJRA, former spouse of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, today (Sept. 10) paid a surprise visit to Chiang Mai to join the Pheu Thai Party’s electoral campaign.

This was the first time in over 16 years since Potjaman was last seen jumping onto the political bandwagon until Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai government was ousted in the 2006 coup.

Accompanying Thaksin’s ex-spouse to the northern province, viewed as one of the Pheu Thai largest strongholds, were their son, Pantongtae Shinawatra, their daughter Pintongta Kunakornwong, his sister Yaowapa Wongsawat and his brother-in-law/former premier Somchai Wongsawat, among other family members.

Potjaman’s surprise appearance on the Pheu Thai campaign trail was apparently intended to encourage their youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was spearheading the party’s electoral campaign in Chiang Mai under the name of “Pheu Thai Family”, alongside former Red Shirt leader Nattawut Saikua.

Thaksin, invariably viewed as “spiritual” leader of Pheu Thai Party who has earlier forecast a “landslide” victory for the largest opposition party in the next general election has remained non-committal over the likelihood of Paethongtarn being named the party’s candidate for head of government and said it would ultimately depend on his own daughter to decide for herself.

Paetongtarn has earlier said the top Pheu Thai contender in question will be clearly unveiled after the House of Representatives has been dissolved and a general election consequently called.

In the 2019 general election, Thaksin’s camp had named a trio of candidates for head of government without his daughter being included.

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Top: Potjaman Na Pombejra hugging her daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra who is spearheading Pheu Thai Party’s electoral campaign in Chiang Mai. Photo: Matichon

Front Page: File photo of Potjaman Na Pombejra. Credit: Matichon Weekly