The Shinawatra political dynasty continues to have an impact on Thai politics, as 37-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Ing Shin), daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and niece of Thailand’s first female Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, rose to power to become the country’s youngest Prime Minister.
Within 48 hours of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s dismissal by a court decision stating that he breached the constitution by naming a minister who did not fulfill ethical requirements, Pheu Thai, the majority ruling party, nominated Paetongtarn to succeed him. She received legislative backing today, becoming the second woman to hold the job.
“The country must move forward,” Paetongtarn told reporters after securing the nomination.
Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party chose her to replace Srettha Thavisin, sacked as premier on Wednesday by the Constitutional Court ruling for appointing a cabinet minister with a criminal conviction.
A political newcomer, Paetongtarn helped run the hotel arm of the ultra-rich family’s business empire before entering politics in late 2022.
Despite being pregnant, she was a near-constant presence on the campaign trail for last year’s election, regularly leading rallies in the stifling tropical heat.
She gave birth to a son just two weeks before polling day, hailing the baby as her “secret power” and swiftly getting back to canvassing.
But the vote proved a disappointment, as Pheu Thai finished second to the new progressive Move Forward Party.
It was the first time a Shinawatra party had been beaten in a national vote, but Pheu Thai triumphed eventually as Srettha took power in alliance with pro-military parties previously staunchly opposed to Thaksin and his followers.
Pheu Thai members voted overwhelmingly in October 2023 for Paetongtarn to become party leader and vowed to rejuvenate its image.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra In Politics
Thaksin’s youngest child has had a brief political career. Paetongtarn entered politics in 2022, when she was elected as ‘Head of the Pheu Thai Family’, making her the Pheu Thai Party’s top prime ministerial contender.
In April 2023, she was formally nominated as one of the three prime minister candidates, along with Srettha Thavisin — the 30th Prime Minister of Thailand, and Chaikasem Nitisiri — the Minister of Justice in her aunt’s cabinet. The brief political journey leaves Paetongtarn with limited to no administrative experience with an elected government position she has never held before. Previously she has been remarked to be inexperienced as she received backlash when she criticised the Bank of Thailand’s independence as an “obstacle” to resolving economic problems.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University said “She will be under scrutiny. She will be under a lot of pressure…She will have to rely on her father.” Reuters reported.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Born in Bangkok in 1986, Ung Ing, known as Ung Ing, is the third and youngest child of Thaksin, a policeman turned telecoms tycoon who revolutionized Thai politics in the early 2000s.
She studied hotel management in Britain and married commercial pilot Pidok Sooksawas in 2019. The couple has two children, who feature regularly in her social media accounts. Paetongtarn’s youth and energy stand out in Thailand’s political scene, with her vibrant designer clothes contrasting with the staid suits and uniforms of her rivals.
She was chosen as Pheu Thai’s PM candidate ahead of party stalwart Chaikasem Nitisiri, 75. However, critics of Thaksin have long suspected him of effectively running Pheu Thai from afar, and observers will watch closely for signs of his influence on Paetongtarn’s administration. In the past, she has said she is still his “little girl” and draws strength from his support and guidance.
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