Thailand Prime Minister’new’ Renews The Legacy Of Her Divisive Father 2024
Bangkok: Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s election as Thailand prime minister marks a significant return for the political dynasty founded by her billionaire father, Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed from power by a military coup in 2006.
At the age of 37, Paetongtarn, a former executive in her family’s hotel business, becomes the third close relative of the Shinawatra family to assume the role of prime minister.
Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, was deposed in 2006, and her sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, served as Thailand Prime Minister first female prime minister from 2011 to 2014. Furthermore, her brother-in-law, Somchai Wongsawat, served as prime minister for a short period in 2008.
Despite Thaksin’s significant popularity and decisive victories in three elections, Thailand Prime Minister royalist establishment was unsettled by his populist policies, which seemed to challenge their influence and the monarchy central to Thai identity. Prolonged protests eventually led to his and Yingluck’s removal from office and subsequent exile.
Father’s Daughter
Last year, Thaksin alienated many of his former supporters with what seemed to be a self-serving deal with his previous conservative rivals.
This deal facilitated his return from exile and enabled his party to establish the new government, effectively marginalizing the progressive Move Forward Party, which had won the most votes in the national election but was seen by the establishment as a more significant threat.
While campaigning for the Thaksin-supported Pheu Thai party, Paetongtarn recognized her family connections but emphasized that she was not merely acting as her father’s representative.”I will always be my father’s daughter, but I make my own decisions,” she told a reporter.
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This isn’t about living in his shadow.
As she assumes office, Paetongtarn has yet to show a distinct approach that sets her policies apart from those of her party or her father, who has advocated for measures like relaxed tourist entry rules to boost the struggling economy.
Moreover, unresolved issues with her family’s adversaries persist. Yingluck remains in exile and faces potential legal troubles—possibly politically motivated—that could result in imprisonment if she returns to Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin also continues to confront legal challenges.
During her campaign last year, Paetongtarn displayed confidence and empathy, travelling extensively and speaking at rallies nationwide while pregnant with her second child.
Her son, Prutthasin, was born just under two weeks prior to the election. Her husband, Pitaka Suksawat, a former commercial pilot, transitioned into working with the Shinawatra family’s real estate ventures after their marriage.
Her political debut came in 2021 when the Pheu Thai party appointed her head of its Inclusion and Innovation Advisory Committee.
When asked if she planned to pursue a political career or seek the prime minister’s office, she responded: “I feel more comfortable as an adviser than as a politician. I want to focus on making my project successful. I’m notready for other roles yet.”
However, observers of Thai politics could sense her future ambitions.
Paetongtarn’s appointment underscored Thaksin’s ongoing influence within Pheu Thai and his role as its primary decision-maker, according to Kovit Wongsurawat, an associate professor at Bangkok’s Assumption University.
Kovit observed that despite Thaksin’s exile and delegating party management to others, the circumstances did not improve.
It’s not surprising that he appointed his daughter to this role; finding someone he truly trusts is not easy for him.”
As Thailand Prime Minister prepared for elections in late 2022, Paetongtarn began to present herself as a Thailand Prime Minister candidate. The Pheu Thai party included her as one of its three official candidates.
During a campaign rally, Paetongtarn declared, “The next four years will be a period for our country to recover and restore its dignity and pride. Thinking big and acting smart will be key to rebuilding our nation and improving the lives of Thai people.
Only political stability can make this possible.”
Paetongtarn proposed several measures to improve the lives of everyday Thais, such as doubling the daily minimum wage, enhancing health care coverage, and lowering fares for Bangkok’s public transportation.
“We just need to unite and change the country’s leadership,” she asserted.
Observers have noted that Paetongtarn seems to have inherited valuable skills from her father.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University, remarked that she engages voters effectively and has a natural aptitude for campaigning, similar to her father. Her skill in connecting with large audiences, speaking confidently, and managing a campaign while pregnant highlights her leadership potential.
“She certainly has the qualities needed for a Thailand Prime Minister”
While Thaksin, with his wealth and popularity, Thaksin has remained a significant figure in Thai politics, but his influence has diminished somewhat over time.
For the first time last year, a party under his control did not secure the top position in a national election, as the Move Forward Party, with its progressive policies, attracted younger voters.
Behind the scenes, Thaksin is said to have negotiated a deal with conservative forces to facilitate his return from exile and marginalize Move Forward, allowing Pheu Thai to lead a new coalition government.
Upon Thaksin’s return to Thailand Prime Minister last August, Paetongtarn was the most prominent family member by his side.
Although there was speculation that she might assume a Cabinet position, she instead focused on promoting Thailand Prime Minister “soft power,” emphasizing the country’s strengths in food, culture, sports, and the Pride parade in Bangkok.
Her political influence grew notably in October when she was appointed leader of Pheu Thai. This development reinforced the Shinawatra family’s prominent control over the party and made a future Thailand Prime Minister bid seem almost certain.
