• Pheu Thai party has nominated Yodchanan Wongsawat as its candidate for prime minister.
• Yodchanan is the nephew of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who is currently imprisoned.
• The general election is set for February 8, with Pheu Thai aiming to regain support amidst challenges.
• Yodchanan plans to leverage the party's populist legacy while addressing recent political setbacks.
• Increased border tensions with Cambodia remain a crucial part of Yodchanan's campaign strategy.

The Pheu Thai party has officially nominated Yodchanan Wongsawat as its leading candidate for prime minister in the upcoming general election scheduled for February 8. This decision comes as his uncle, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, serves a prison sentence for corruption. Yodchanan, 46, is a biomedical engineering professor and the son of former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, highlighting the connection to the influential Shinawatra political family that has played a significant role in Thai politics for years, according to Channel News Asia, The Jakarta Post, and Reuters.

Yodchanan's political journey comes at a challenging time for Pheu Thai, which has seen its popularity diminish amid recent political upheaval and conflict with Cambodia. He expressed confidence in his ability to lead the party, stating, "I think that would be an advantage for us as a party" when discussing his familial connection to Thaksin, highlighting the need for a unified vision for the populace. The ongoing border clashes with Cambodia are also pressing issues, as Yodchanan emphasized, stating that "sovereignty would be the priority" to protect Thai citizens, according to Channel News Asia, The Jakarta Post, and Reuters.

As Pheu Thai prepares for the elections amidst ongoing tensions and recent setbacks, Yodchanan indicated he will focus on the party’s populist policies, which have historically garnered support, particularly through initiatives like universal healthcare and cash handouts for rural communities. He remarked, "If we can translate (policies) and make the people know that vision, people would protect us,” underlining the importance of effective communication of the party's legacy, according to Reuters and The Jakarta Post.