Who is Sretta Thavisin, Thailand's next prime minister?

Sretta Thavisin, a Phu Thai Party contender for prime minister who is the only candidate proposed for a parliamentary vote, reacts to the press at the party headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 22, 2023. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa Acquire license rights.

BANGKOK, Aug 22 (Reuters)

Sretta Thavisin, until recently the head of one of Thailand's largest real estate developers, was elected prime minister at the head of an unexpected alliance of populists and parties supporting the military authorities after weeks of political lockdown following the election.

61-year-old Sretta won the parliamentary vote for prime minister just hours after the founder of his populist Phu Thai party, Thaksin Shinawatra, returned to Thailand after a 15-year self-exile and was immediately sent to prison.

"I am honored to be elected prime minister," Sretta told reporters after the vote. "I'd like to thank all the Thais".... "I'll do my best," Sretta said brightly before the TV cameras surrounded him. He refused to answer questions before royal confirmation of his election.

The vote on Tuesday was backed by military-supporting MPs who blocked the progressive Move Forward party, which won May's election, from power.

The conservative establishment finds Sretta and his Phu Thai party, which came second in the election, more acceptable.

"Newcomer" to politics

When this elegant businessman with no administrative experience was introduced as the Phu Thai Party's candidate for prime minister, the party emphasized his business acumen and, by analogy, his ability to manage an economy that is cautiously recovering from the COVID pandemic.

Born into a family with deep ties in the business elite, Sretta began his career at Procter & Gamble (PG.N) in Thailand after studying economics and management in the United States.

In 1990, he founded a company with some cousins, which then became real estatedeveloper Sansiri and eventually grew into one of Thailand's largest properties.

In 2022, Bancock-based Sansiri (SIRI.BK) recorded revenue of 34.9 billion baht ($1.01 billion) and net profit of 4.2 billion baht. Shares in the real estatedeveloper rose more than 8 percent in Bangkok on Tuesday, heading for their best session in nearly seven months.

This month, political activist Chuit Kamolvisit accused Sretta, while at the helm of Sansiri, of illegal land deals. Both Sansiri and Sretta deny this.

A devoted fan of English soccer club Liverpool who fills his social media accounts with pictures of dogs, Sretta literally towers over his fellow party members at six feet three inches (1.92 meters) tall.

His transition from business to prime minister follows the path of Thaksin, who made his ownership in telecommunications before becoming what he called "the prime minister's chief executive".

The military toppled Thaksin in 2006 and the government led by his sister Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014.

For Sretta, political unprofessionalism has its pluses but also possible risks, analysts and people familiar with him say.

One party colleague and two business associates described Sretta as a straightforward person who won't be afraid to speak openly.

"He really hasn't adapted to become a politician," one of the business partners said. - "So many politicians feel uncomfortable in his presence, they fear they can't control or influence him. "

While he may be free of old political commitments, at the same time he has no political footing either within the party or among the general public.

This raises questions about the extent to which Sretta can be himself, especially with the return of Thaksin, who has become almost a figure, from self-exile and, at least in part, back into the political arena.

"Sretta is a political novice," said Titipol Fakdiwanich, dean of the Faculty of Political Science at Ubon Ratchathani University.