Chada Thaised: Ferocious opponent of Pita’s PM bid has a dark and violence-racked history

Bhumjaithai MP Chada Thaised stole the limelight from Thailand’s top PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat during the joint parliamentary meeting to elect a new prime minister on Thursday.

Chada’s fiery speech – which fiercely defended the monarchy and attacked Pita’s policy to amend the lese majeste law – made headlines and caught the attention of Thai politics watchers.

Father, mother, brother murdered

Born in 1961 to a Muslim family, Chada grew up in Uthai Thani. His grandfather migrated from Pakistan before settling in the northern province. His granddad was a major beef trader in the province, but Chada’s father launched into the lumber trade before switching back to selling and even exporting beef.

Though his family was wealthy thanks to the business, Chada had a tough childhood. His father was shot dead over a business conflict when Chada was just seven. When he reached…