Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been elected as the new Prime Minister of Thailand. The daughter of former Prime Minister and billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn was chosen by the Thai Parliament on Friday, August 16.
At 37 years old, Paetongtarn now holds the title of Thailand’s youngest Prime Minister. According to the Bangkok Post, she received 319 votes in favor, while 145 votes were cast against her, and 27 MPs were absent from the vote.
Earlier that day, Pheu Thai Party Secretary-General Sorawong Thiengthong nominated Paetongtarn for the position. She now becomes Thailand’s second female Prime Minister, following in the footsteps of her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, who previously held the office. Paetongtarn’s election comes after Srettha Thavisin was removed from the Prime Minister’s position by the Constitutional Court.
Who is Paetongtarn Shinawatra?
Paetongtarn Shinawatra is a prominent Thai political figure and the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Born on August 21, 1986, she hails from one of Thailand’s most influential political families. Paetongtarn, often referred to by her nickname “Ung Ing,” entered the political arena with the Pheu Thai Party, the same party that her father and aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, were associated with.
Despite her relatively young age, Paetongtarn has quickly risen through the ranks of Thai politics, thanks in part to her family’s deep political connections and her own leadership qualities. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and later pursued a Master’s degree in International Management from the University of Manchester in the UK.
Paetongtarn’s political career gained momentum as she became a key figure within the Pheu Thai Party, advocating for policies that focus on social welfare, economic reform, and reconciliation in Thailand’s politically divided landscape. Her election as Prime Minister marks a significant moment in Thai politics, making her not only the youngest person to hold the office but also the second woman to do so, after her aunt Yingluck.
Her leadership is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the government, and she is seen as a symbol of continuity within the Shinawatra legacy, which has been a powerful force in Thai politics for decades. Paetongtarn’s ability to navigate the challenges of Thai politics, while balancing the expectations associated with her family’s legacy, will be closely watched both within Thailand and internationally.
