Daughter of Former Thailand Prime Minister Poised to Become Country’s Youngest Leader

On Friday, Thailand’s Parliament elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the country’s youngest prime minister. At 37, Paetongtarn is the third leader from the Shinawatra family, following her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a coup in 2006, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, who is in exile. Paetongtarn also becomes Thailand’s second female prime minister.
Paetongtarn, who was the sole nominee, secured her position with 319 votes in favor, 145 against, and 27 abstentions. Despite not being an elected lawmaker, her role as leader of the ruling Pheu Thai party enabled her candidacy. She will officially assume office upon receiving a royal endorsement, though the timing of this step is yet to be confirmed.
In her first speech after the Parliament vote, Paetongtarn expressed her excitement and gratitude, stating her commitment to enhancing the nation’s opportunities and quality of life. The former prime minister, Srettha Thavisin, was recently removed from office by the Constitutional Court for an ethics violation, leading to Paetongtarn’s election.
Paetongtarn’s rise to power comes in the wake of a tumultuous period in Thai politics, including the dissolution of the progressive Move Forward party and the removal of Thavisin. The political landscape remains volatile, with the influence of her father, Thaksin, casting a long shadow over her premiership.
Political analysts suggest that Paetongtarn’s direct connection to her father could stabilize the coalition government by providing a clear chain of command, potentially curbing internal factionalism. As the political climate continues to evolve, the focus remains on maintaining stability and excluding reformist forces from power.