Thai Parliament Selects Third Member of Shinawatra Dynasty as Prime Minister
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been elected as Thailand’s new leader in parliament.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the third family member to hold the position, secured the role after winning a parliamentary vote in Thailand.
With a vote of 319 to 145 in her favor on Friday, the 37-year-old Paetongtarn will become Thailand’s youngest-ever prime minister.
Having recently assumed the leadership of the Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn aims to lead the country forward while separating her political stance from that of her father and aunt, both former prime ministers ousted by military coups.
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She emphasized that she is not merely a figurehead for her father, stating, “I am my dad’s daughter, always and forever, but I have my own decisions.”
‘The Country Has To Move Forward’
Paetongtarn expressed her commitment to propelling the country forward after being chosen as the party’s nominee, stating, “The country has to move ahead. We are determined, together and we will push the country forward.”
Political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University acknowledged that Paetongtarn will face intense scrutiny and pressure, likely leaning on her father for support.
Paetongtarn, with a background in political science and international hotel management, ventured into politics in 2021 when she was appointed as the head of the inclusion and innovation advisory committee by Pheu Thai.
Although initially hesitant about a political career, Paetongtarn took on an active role during the election campaign, even while pregnant with her second child. Her son was born shortly before the election, during which Pheu Thai secured the second-highest vote share, leading to Srettha’s appointment as prime minister.
Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of progressive party Move Forward, which faced dissolution by the Constitutional Court over reform plans, was blocked from the premiership by conservative senators appointed by the military.
Thailand, with its reverence for the royal family under strict lèse-majesté laws, has a history of political polarization, exemplified by Thaksin Shinawatra’s rise and subsequent ousting in military coups.
Thaksin’s legacy, marked by his populist policies and subsequent removal, paved the way for his sister Yingluck Shinawatra’s brief tenure as prime minister before facing a similar fate in the hands of the military.
Recent political developments, including the dissolution of progressive parties and controversial coalition agreements, underscore the ongoing political turbulence in Thailand.
The Shinawatra family’s Chinese immigrant roots and their enduring impact on Thai politics highlight the complex historical context in which Paetongtarn assumes her role as the country’s new prime minister.
Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
