Thailand has officially appointed Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of well-known billionaire and former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, as the country’s new prime minister. At just 37 years old, she now holds the title of Thailand’s youngest prime minister and is only the second woman to take on this role, following her aunt Yingluck.
This appointment follows the recent dismissal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin by a constitutional court just two days prior. Both Paetongtarn and Srettha belong to the Pheu Thai Party, which, despite finishing second in the 2023 elections, successfully formed a ruling coalition.
Paetongtarn is notable for being the fourth member of the influential Shinawatra family to ascend to the prime ministership in the last twenty years. The previous holders of the office from her family, including Thaksin and Yingluck, faced removal from power through military coups or constitutional court decisions.
The context surrounding her appointment highlights the limitations faced by democratically elected governments in Thailand. In her first comments after being selected, Paetongtarn expressed admiration for Srettha’s efforts and described his removal as unfortunate. “We’ve gathered here today to show the people that we are determined, driven, and ready to push the country forward,” she stated at her party’s headquarters, where she was announced as the prime ministerial candidate.
Paetongtarn has an impressive educational background, having attended prestigious institutions in Thailand and studied in the UK. Prior to entering politics, she worked with the family-owned Rende hotel group, where her husband holds a significant position. She joined the Pheu Thai Party in 2021 and was appointed party leader shortly before taking on the prime minister role.
