between Pheu Thai and its longstanding enemies from the military side. The deal coincided with the return to Thailand after more than 15 years in exile of the former prime minister and billionaire businessman Thaksin Shinawatra, who is backing Pheu Thai.
The party has touted his industry experience, presenting him as someone who can boost the economy as it recovers from the pandemic. However, he has faced questions over his past business dealings, including allegations that he helped a group of landowners evade a large tax bill. Srettha has denied any wrongdoing.
In the year after the coup, more than 750 people, many of them affiliated with Pheu Thai, as well as activists and journalists, were summoned by the junta. Srettha has previously said he will not seek to change the lese-majesty law, under which criticising the monarchy can lead to a jail term of up to 15 years in prison.