Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Paetongtarn Shinawatra is on the brink of becoming Thailand’s next prime minister, a move that continues the influential yet contentious Shinawatra family’s legacy in Thai politics. At just 37 years old, Paetongtarn will be the country’s second female prime minister, following her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, and the youngest person to ever hold the office.
Parliamentary Vote Seals the Deal
Thailand’s parliament voted decisively on Friday, with Paetongtarn securing 319 votes in the House of Representatives. She was the sole candidate put forward by the Pheu Thai party’s ruling coalition after the Constitutional Court’s sudden removal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. Paetongtarn now awaits formal endorsement by King Maha Vajiralongkorn before she can officially assume office and form her Cabinet.
In her first statement after the vote, Paetongtarn expressed deep gratitude to her supporters and a strong commitment to her new role. “I will do my best in this position,” she stated, addressing reporters at the Pheu Thai headquarters in Bangkok.
A Legacy of Power and Controversy
Paetongtarn’s ascension marks the continuation of the Shinawatra family’s deep-rooted influence in Thai politics, a legacy started by her father, Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, a former prime minister, was ousted in a 2006 military coup but remains a significant, if polarizing, figure. His policies, especially his populist economic reforms, have left an indelible mark on the nation, ensuring his family’s continued relevance in Thailand’s political landscape.
Her appointment comes amid ongoing political turbulence. Just two days before the parliamentary vote, Thailand’s Constitutional Court dismissed former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin in a decision that shocked the nation and exacerbated concerns over the country’s democratic integrity. This ruling, along with the recent disbandment of the progressive Move Forward Party, has drawn criticism for what many see as judicial overreach aimed at suppressing political reform and maintaining the conservative establishment’s control.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Chulalongkorn University, voiced these concerns, stating, “In light of recent rulings, Thailand should be seen as semi-autocratic at best because people’s votes practically don’t matter. The conservative establishment has the power to veto and manipulate to get preferred outcomes.”
A Future Fraught with Challenges
Paetongtarn faces significant challenges as she steps into the role of prime minister. The political landscape in Thailand is highly volatile, with the Shinawatra family often at the center of the country’s most intense political conflicts. Her father, Thaksin, despite being in self-imposed exile for over 15 years, returned to Thailand last year, stirring speculation about his influence over the Pheu Thai party’s decisions.