Thailand Gets a New Prime Minister From an Influential Political Dynasty
Amid turbulent times in Thai politics, Thailand has appointed a new, young, and inexperienced prime minister from a very influential political dynasty. With political power largely removed from the hands of the people and focused on preserving the constitutional monarchy, the situation became more complicated after the constitutional court ousted the previous prime minister, Srettha, on dubious charges. In response, the remaining politicians, after various bans in the legislative assembly, acted rapidly under the leadership of billionaire and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to prevent division and military rule. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, has now been chosen as Thailand’s next prime minister after securing enough support from lawmakers.
Paetongtarn, 37, the youngest of three children of the controversial political figure Thaksin Shinawatra, will become Thailand’s youngest and only the second female prime minister. Her appointment on Friday followed 24 hours of intense negotiations. Speaking on Thursday after being named Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate, Paetongtarn expressed her respect for the ousted Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, acknowledging the unfortunate circumstances of his departure and emphasizing the need for the country to progress. However, analysts are skeptical, suggesting that her appointment may have been orchestrated by authorities and the Thaksin family. The Move Forward Party, led by Pita Limjaroenrat, won the last general election but was subsequently banned by authorities due to its reformist stance. Despite the court’s decision to finalize the ban, the public remains supportive of MFP. By allowing Thaksin’s return, authorities hoped to mitigate public discontent. Young charming woman leader is definitely a good choice to deliver this hope. Paetongtarn played a significant role in Pheu Thai’s election campaign, leveraging her family’s popularity among older rural voters in the north and northeast. Although her party finished second in the election behind Pita’s Move Forward Party, she did not run for prime minister last year. According to power brokers, she may now be ready for the role.
Paetongtarn is the fourth member of the Shinawatra family to become prime minister, underscoring the family’s significant influence in Thai politics. However, she faces the challenge of leading a country that has moved beyond her father’s era. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, served as prime minister from 2001 to 2006 before being ousted in a coup. Thaksin’s brother-in-law, Somchai Wongsawat, was briefly prime minister in 2008, and his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, held the position from 2011 to 2014, both being forced from office by court rulings. Following his political setbacks, Thaksin went into self-imposed exile that stretched 15 years to avoid imprisonment and returned only recently. Many believe that through Paetongtarn, Thaksin’s influence will continue to shape the country’s leadership.
Despite being Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn must prove herself as she takes office amidst significant political instability. Lacking prior government experience, she needed to secure 247 votes from the 493 members of parliament for confirmation. Although she achieved this, her tenure remains uncertain, and she could be dismissed at any moment, similar to her predecessors and other family members. Additionally, she faces challenges not only from the authorities but also from reformists who may form new parties and leadership to gain significant public support. Paetongtarn is in for a challenging journey ahead.
