Thailand’s parliament has selected Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former leader and billionaire tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, as the country’s new prime minister.
At 37, Paetongtarn becomes Thailand’s youngest prime minister and the second woman to hold the position, following her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra.
Her appointment comes just two days after the dismissal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin by a constitutional court.
Both Paetongtarn and Srettha are members of the Pheu Thai Party, which secured second place in the 2023 election but managed to form a ruling coalition.
Paetongtarn faces the significant challenge of reviving Thailand’s struggling economy while navigating the turbulent political landscape that has seen four previous Pheu Thai-led governments deposed through military coups or court rulings.
“I really hope that I can make people feel confident that we can build opportunities and improve the quality of life for all Thais,” Paetongtarn expressed to reporters after the parliamentary vote on Friday.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she admitted that her hands were trembling with excitement.
Acknowledging her own limitations, Paetongtarn stated, “I am neither the best nor the most talented one in the room,” but emphasized the strength and experience of her team.
“My team is strong, experienced, determined, and we share the same ideas. That’s something I value highly,” she added.
With 319 votes in her favor and 145 against, Paetongtarn is now the fourth member of the Shinawatra family to become prime minister in the past two decades.
Her father, Thaksin, and aunt Yingluck were both ousted from power by military coups or court interventions.
The constitutional court’s dismissal of Srettha Thavisin earlier in the week was based on his appointment of a former lawyer with a criminal record to his cabinet.
Paetongtarn expressed confusion and sadness over Srettha’s removal but felt it was time to act for her party and country after discussing the situation with him and her family.
Thaksin, who returned to Thailand last October after 15 years in exile, reportedly called Paetongtarn to offer his support, urging her to “do your best” and expressing pride in her new role.
Educated at prestigious institutions in Thailand and the UK, Paetongtarn previously worked for the Shinawatra family’s Rende hotel group before joining Pheu Thai in 2021. She was appointed party leader in October 2023.
Her rise to power injects new energy into Thailand’s leadership, and there is hope within Pheu Thai that she can rejuvenate the party’s fortunes.
Thaksin first became prime minister in 2001 but was ousted in a 2006 military coup. After his return to Thailand, he faced charges under the country’s lese-majeste law, which is often used against political dissidents.
The recent court ruling to dismiss Srettha has been interpreted as a warning to Thaksin, who remains a dominant figure within Pheu Thai, to temper his ambitions.
Yingluck, Thaksin’s sister, won a landslide victory in the 2011 election but was later disqualified by the courts, and her government was also overthrown by a coup. She currently lives in exile.
Paetongtarn led Pheu Thai’s campaign in last year’s election while in the late stages of pregnancy, gaining admiration from many.
She told reporters that after years of political instability, “the people want better politics, better solutions for the country than just coup d’etats.”
Despite winning the election, the Move Forward Party was blocked from forming a government by the military-appointed senate, which ultimately allowed Pheu Thai to lead the coalition with Srettha as prime minister.
Earlier this month, the constitutional court dissolved Move Forward and banned 11 of its leaders from politics for a decade.
Source-BBC
