Rising Thai Prime Minister Candidate in His 40s... Says "Thank You" in Korean on Social Media

Pita Limjaroenrat Expresses Thanks in Korean on Social Media
Leader of Move Forward Party Hopes for Closer Ties with Korea
Aims to Make Thailand a Soft Power Powerhouse Like Korea

Pita Limjaroenrat (42), leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), which emerged as the largest party in the recent Thai general election, expressed his gratitude in Korean and said he looks forward to expanding cooperation with South Korea.

On the 19th (local time), Pita posted a collection of screenshots showing international media, including Korean outlets, reporting on the MFP's victory on his Instagram account. He also wrote "Thank you" in Korean on the photo.

[Image source=Photo by Pita Rimjarnrat, leader of the Thai Progressive Party]

He further wrote in Korean, "Thank you very much for your interest," and added, "I look forward to cooperating with Korea as soon as possible for the prosperity of both countries." In Thai, he noted, "The photo is from Twitter, and the translation is by my Korean teacher. Thank you so much." His post was met with congratulatory comments in both Korean and Thai.

The Move Forward Party, which has proposed bold policies such as reforming the monarchy and abolishing the royal defamation law, broke the two-decade standoff between the military and the faction of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, causing a sensation by winning the most seats in the general election.

As a result, not only Thailand but also other countries have shown great interest in the outcome of this election. The results have also raised the possibility of replacing the military regime that has been in power since the 2014 coup.

Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the Move Forward Party (MFP), which came in first in the unofficial count of the Thai general election, is greeting attendees at a press conference held at the party headquarters in Bangkok on the 15th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

Pita is known as a pro-Korean figure with a strong interest in Korea. During his candidacy, he mentioned Korea and stated that he would elevate Thailand's "soft power" to a global level, even suggesting that the related budget should be increased tenfold.

In one interview, he said, "Thai products can also have value like Korean brands." He continued, "We want to visit Korea, wear Korean brand clothes, and use Korean cosmetics," adding, "Soft power influences people without coercive force."

Meanwhile, Pita, who enjoys strong support from younger generations, is an elite politician with a business background. He earned a master's degree in public policy from Harvard Kennedy School and an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He has drawn attention for his good looks and eloquence. His father served as an advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and his uncle was a close associate of former Prime Minister Thaksin, serving in the cabinet.

When his father passed away at the age of 25, Pita took over the family-owned agrifood business and later worked as an executive at Grab, Southeast Asia's largest mobility platform company. He began his political career in the 2019 general election, winning a seat as a member of the Future Forward Party (FFP), the predecessor of the Move Forward Party. Four years later, he became the leader of the largest party and is now reportedly aiming for the position of prime minister.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.