Bangkok: The People's Party's recent decision to nominate a candidate for Prime Minister is drawing scrutiny over its impact on the party's credibility.

According to Thai News Agency, Associate Professor Olar Thinbangtiao, a lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science and Law at Burapha University, expressed concerns regarding the nomination of Nattapong Ruangpanyawut as Prime Minister. While the nomination is legally permissible, Thinbangtiao emphasized that political credibility holds significant weight alongside policies and parliamentary votes. He pointed out that the party's previous statements suggested it would not seek to form a competing government, leading to questions about its consistency and reliability.

Thinbangtiao noted that the People's Party has historically built its political capital on principles such as straightforwardness and public accountability. This reputation, he warned, is at risk if the party's actions conflict with societal expectations. Critics argue that the nomination may be a form of symbolic politics, aiming to maintain political momentum rather than genuinely contesting for power. The party, however, defends its decision as fulfilling an opposition role to present alternative visions and emphasize political choice.

The Associate Professor highlighted the importance of returning to foundational principles, cautioning that a loss of credibility could erode public trust. He reminded that in Thai politics, parties often lose popularity not due to electoral defeats but because the perceived value of their words diminishes.