Fri, 20 September 2024 06:32:08am
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Paetongtarn Shinawatra elected youngest Thai PM
Paetongtarn Shinawatra elected youngest Thai PM
In an unexpected twist, Thailand's political landscape was shaken as 37-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of the influential and controversial Thaksin Shinawatra, ascended to the position of the country’s youngest prime minister. This surprising development comes amidst a backdrop of intense political power struggles and challenges that could redefine the nation's future.
Thailand’s parliament made history on Friday by electing Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the country’s youngest prime minister, just a day after she was thrust into the limelight amidst an unrelenting battle between the nation’s warring elites. At 37, Paetongtarn, a political novice, carries the weight of the Shinawatra legacy—a name synonymous with both populist success and deep division within Thailand’s political arena.
Paetongtarn’s rise to power follows the dramatic dismissal of her ally, Srettha Thavisin, from the premiership by the judiciary—a central player in Thailand’s two-decade-long political turbulence. With her election, Paetongtarn not only becomes Thailand’s second female prime minister but also the third Shinawatra to hold the office, following in the footsteps of her aunt Yingluck and her father Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s most polarizing political figure.
In her first remarks as prime minister-elect, Paetongtarn expressed a mix of sorrow and determination, reflecting on Srettha’s removal and the responsibilities that now lie ahead. “I talked to Srettha, my family, and members of my party, and decided it was time to step up for the country,” she told reporters. “I hope to do my best to move the country forward. Today, I am honored and deeply grateful.”
Paetongtarn’s election was marked by a decisive victory, securing 319 votes—nearly two-thirds of the house. In a light-hearted moment after her win, she shared a photo of her lunch on Instagram with the caption, “The first meal after listening to the vote”—a glimpse of her down-to-earth personality amidst the political storm.
However, Paetongtarn’s entry into government is not without risks. As a political newcomer, her leadership will be immediately tested on multiple fronts. The economy is struggling, competition from rival parties is intensifying, and Pheu Thai, the party founded by her father, is grappling with declining popularity due to unfulfilled campaign promises, including a much-touted 500 billion baht ($14.25 billion) cash handout program.
Political analysts have noted the high stakes involved in Paetongtarn’s appointment. “The Shinawatras' gambit here is risky,” said Nattabhorn Buamahakul, Managing Partner at Vero Advocacy, a government affairs consultancy. “It puts Thaksin’s daughter in the crosshairs and in a vulnerable position.”
The recent fall of Srettha after less than a year in office serves as a stark reminder of the hostility Paetongtarn could face. Thailand’s political arena has been a revolving door of coups, court rulings, and government disbandments, with the Shinawatra family often at the epicenter of the nation’s crises. The struggle pits popular political parties against a powerful nexus of conservatives, old-money families, and royalist generals deeply embedded in Thailand’s key institutions.
As Paetongtarn Shinawatra steps into the highest office, the world watches closely. Her ability to navigate this complex political landscape will not only determine her own legacy but could also shape the future of Thailand’s democracy.
Key Points:
- Paetongtarn Shinawatra elected as Thailand’s youngest prime minister at 37.
- She is the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold the office.
- Her rise follows the sudden dismissal of Srettha Thavisin as prime minister.
- Paetongtarn faces immediate challenges, including a struggling economy and intense political competition.
- Her election is seen as a high-stakes gamble by the Shinawatra family amid Thailand’s turbulent political history.
