Paetongtarn Shinawatra is now the third member of the Shinawatra family to lead the country, following her father, Thaksin, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Thailand’s political landscape took a dramatic turn on Friday with the election of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the country’s youngest-ever prime minister, just days after the abrupt removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin.
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Why Was Srettha Thavisin Removed?
Srettha Thavisin, of the Pheu Thai Party, was ousted following a petition by 40 senators, which the Constitutional Court accepted in a 6-3 vote. The petition focused on Srettha’s appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a former lawyer who had previously been jailed for contempt of court.
The senators argued that this appointment failed to meet ethical standards and speculated that Pichit’s connections with billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, the Pheu Thai Party’s founder, had influenced Srettha’s rise to power. This controversy led to Srettha’s removal, making him the fourth Thai prime minister in 16 years to be unseated by the Constitutional Court.
Who Is Paetongtarn Shinawatra?
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, is the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, and her election marks a significant moment in Thailand’s political history. She easily secured the position, thanks to her party’s dominant presence in parliament, which holds 314 out of 493 seats.
Paetongtarn, who studied at Chulalongkorn University, had previously worked in her family’s hotel business before entering politics in 2021 as the chief of the Pheu Thai Party’s Inclusion and Innovation Advisory Committee.
She is now the third member of the Shinawatra family to lead the country, following her father, Thaksin, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.
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Thailand’s Political Climate
Paetongtarn’s rise to power comes against the backdrop of a long-standing conflict between Thailand’s pro-royalist military establishment and populist factions linked to the Pheu Thai Party. The military has held significant influence since it took control in the 2014 coup led by General Prayuth Chan-o-cha.
Despite the return to civilian rule in 2019, the military continues to exert considerable power, including blocking the Move Forwards Party (MFP), which had won the most seats in the 2023 election, from forming a government.
The MFP, known for its critical stance toward the monarchy, was dissolved by the Constitutional Court in August 2023, further consolidating Pheu Thai’s grip on power.
Paetongtarn’s Challenges Ahead
As she steps into office, Paetongtarn Shinawatra faces significant challenges, including managing Thailand’s struggling economy, addressing her party’s declining popularity, and navigating the potential resurgence of opposition forces, particularly the newly regrouped Peoples’ Party following the dissolution of the MFP.
During her campaign, Paetongtarn promised to reduce public transportation costs, expand healthcare coverage, and double the minimum daily wage. How she addresses these promises and the broader political climate will define her tenure as Thailand’s second-ever female prime minister.
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