Thailand’s parliament has elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 37-year-old daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as the country’s new prime minister on August 16, 2024. This development comes just days after the Constitutional Court removed her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, for appointing a cabinet minister with a criminal conviction.Paetongtarn secured a clear majority in the parliamentary vote, receiving 319 votes out of 493 in the House of Representatives. She becomes Thailand’s youngest prime minister in history and the second woman to hold the position, following her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra.The election of Paetongtarn marks the return of the influential Shinawatra family to power. Both her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt Yingluck were previously ousted from the prime minister’s office by military coups. This has raised questions about the potential influence of Thaksin on his daughter’s leadership.Paetongtarn’s appointment comes at a time of political instability in Thailand, with the country experiencing frequent court interventions and military coups over the past two decades. The new prime minister faces significant challenges, including addressing economic issues such as weak exports and high household debt.In her first statement as prime minister-elect, Paetongtarn said, ‘It is a great honor to be elected as the Prime Minister of Thailand and I will work tirelessly to bring stability and prosperity to our country’. Her election still requires formal approval from King Maha Vajiralongkorn before she can take office and appoint her cabinet.
Key points
- Paetongtarn Shinawatra, 37, has been elected as Thailand’s new prime minister, becoming the youngest in the country’s history.
- She is the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold the position, following her father Thaksin and aunt Yingluck.
- Her election comes after the Constitutional Court removed former PM Srettha Thavisin for an ethical violation.
- Paetongtarn’s appointment raises questions about the influence of her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, on Thai politics.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of votes Paetongtarn received, with some sources citing 319 votes and others reporting 349 votes.
