Paetongtarn Shinawatra, aged 37, has been elected as the new prime minister. She is the youngest child of Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire who founded the Pheu Thai Party and was also a former prime minister. Paetongtarn, often known by her nickname Ung-Ing, was elected easily due to her party and its allies holding a majority of seats in parliament.
Paetongtarn studied at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, a prestigious institution. Before venturing into politics three years ago, she managed the hotel division of her family’s business empire. Her political career began in 2021 when she became the chief of the Pheu Thai Party’s Inclusion and Innovation Advisory Committee. She gave birth to her second child just two weeks before the 2023 elections, in which she was a prominent candidate.
This marks Paetongtarn as the third member of her family to hold Thailand’s top position. Her father, Thaksin, served as prime minister from 2001 until he was ousted by a military coup in 2006. Her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, also served as prime minister from 2011 until she was removed by the Constitutional Court in 2014 following political turmoil and a subsequent military coup.
Both Thaksin and Yingluck had left Thailand for self-imposed exile to avoid arrest, but Thaksin returned to Thailand in August 2023.
Paetongtarn is also notable for being Thailand’s second-ever female prime minister, following her aunt. As the youngest person to assume the role, her appointment represents a new chapter in Thailand’s political landscape.
Why Was Srettha Thavisin Removed as Prime Minister?
Srettha Thavisin, the former prime minister of Thailand, was removed from office by the Constitutional Court in Bangkok this week. This decision was made after the court accepted a petition from 40 senators who were dissatisfied with his actions.
The primary issue leading to Srettha’s removal was his appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a former lawyer who had previously been jailed for six months in 2008. Pichit was convicted of contempt of court after attempting to bribe court officials with 2 million baht ($55,218), which was placed in a grocery bag. Senators argued that appointing someone with such a controversial past fell short of ethical and moral standards.
Critics also speculated that Pichit’s connection with Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire who founded the Pheu Thai Party, played a role in his appointment. Thaksin’s influence over the party was seen as a factor that might have aided Pichit’s rise to this position.
Srettha’s removal marks him as the fourth Thai prime minister in 16 years to be ousted by the Constitutional Court. The decision highlights ongoing political instability in Thailand, where the judiciary has frequently intervened in political matters.
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