Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, has been confirmed as the youngest-ever prime minister of Thailand. Her nomination, backed by the ruling coalition led by the Pheu Thai party, was solidified after the constitutional court removed former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office.
A Legacy Continued
Paetongtarn, affectionately known as “Ung Ing,” is the third member of the Shinawatra family to ascend to the nation’s top political position. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, both previously served as prime ministers. Thaksin, a billionaire tycoon, initially came to power in 2001 but was ousted in a 2006 military coup and spent years in exile. He returned to Thailand last year when Pheu Thai formed the government.
Political Background and Rise
Prior to entering politics three years ago, Paetongtarn played a key role in managing the hotel division of her family’s business empire. She became a prominent figure in the 2023 election campaign, despite giving birth just two weeks before polling day. Her rise to power was facilitated by the ruling coalition, which holds 314 seats in parliament. With no other parties putting forward a candidate, Paetongtarn needed the approval of over half of the current 493 lawmakers to secure the position.
The Move Forward Party’s Demise
Paetongtarn’s appointment follows the dissolution of the reformist Move Forward Party (MFP) by the constitutional court. The court’s decision, which also banned MFP’s executive board members from politics for 10 years, came after the party’s promise to amend strict royal defamation laws. Despite winning the most seats in the 2023 elections, MFP was blocked from forming a government by the military-appointed Senate.
A Significant Moment in Thai Politics
Paetongtarn’s ascension to the role of prime minister represents a significant chapter in Thailand’s political landscape, further entrenching the Shinawatra family’s influence in the country. Her leadership comes at a time of continued tension between Thailand’s military, pro-royalist establishment, and the populist factions aligned with her family.