Suggest an interesting headline for this: The Thai parliament, in a historic and symbolic move, elected its youngest-ever prime minister on Friday. Paetongtarn Shinawatra was elected as Thailand’s PM, marking the third time a member of the Shinawatra family has held the nation’s highest office. Paetongtarn, 37, steps into a role previously occupied by her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, both of whom were ousted by military coups and forced into exile. Her election signals a resurgence of the Shinawatra political dynasty.
Understanding the PM’s family history
PM Paetongtarn’s father Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire and former prime minister, was ousted in 2006 after his pro-poor policies alarmed Thailand’s royalist establishment. Yingluck, Thailand’s first female Prime Minister, was similarly removed in 2014. Despite their controversial exits, the Shinawatras have retained significant influence in Thai politics, with Paetongtarn now continuing the family legacy.
PM Paetongtarn rose to political prominence as a candidate for the Pheu Thai Party, a party closely associated with her father. During her campaign, she emphasised her independence, stating, “I am my dad’s daughter, always and forever, but I have my own decisions.” However, her policies largely reflect the economic measures championed by her father, including cash handouts and tourism-friendly reforms.
Her ascent to power comes at a time when Thailand is deeply divided. The 2023 elections saw the rise of the progressive Move Forward Party, which outperformed Pheu Thai in the polls but was ultimately sidelined by a deal reportedly orchestrated by Thaksin himself. This maneuver allowed Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai Party to form a coalition government, ensuring the Shinawatra influence remained strong while Thaksin returned from his 17-year exile.
Start of Paetongtarn’s political journey
Publicly, Paetongtarn’s political journey began in 2021 when she was appointed as the head of Pheu Thai’s Inclusion and Innovation Advisory Committee. Initially hesitant to fully embrace a political career, she quickly emerged as a key figure within the party, eventually being named one of its prime ministerial candidates. Her campaign focused on boosting Thailand’s economy, with promises to double the minimum wage, expand healthcare, and reduce transportation costs in Bangkok.
The election of Paetongtarn has reinvigorated the Shinawatra political machine, although it comes with significant risks. The royalist and military elites who once toppled her father and aunt remain powerful, and any moves that threaten their interests could lead to renewed conflict.
In the immediate future, Paetongtarn’s role will focus on promoting Thailand’s “soft power,” highlighting the nation’s cultural, culinary, and sporting strengths on the global stage. However, as the new leader of Pheu Thai, she is now poised to wield substantial influence over Thailand’s political direction, with her every move likely to be closely scrutinized.
(With inputs from agencies)