Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 37-year-old daughter of tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, is set to potentially become Thailand’s next prime minister as the ruling Pheu Thai party has nominated her to replace the recently dismissed leader Srettha Thavisin. The parliament is expected to vote on her candidacy on Friday following Srettha’s removal due to a controversial ministerial appointment. If Paetongtarn secures parliamentary backing, she would become the third member of her family to lead the country after her father and aunt.
The ongoing power struggle between the military, pro-royalist establishment, and populist parties linked to Thaksin has been a defining feature of Thai politics. Thaksin himself was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and only returned to Thailand last year when Pheu Thai formed the government. Paetongtarn, who has been involved in running the family’s business empire, entered politics three years ago and was one of Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidates in the 2023 elections.
However, challenges remain as the reformist Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in parliament, was blocked from forming a government by the Senate appointed by the military and was subsequently dissolved by the constitutional court. The party has since regrouped as the People’s Party and remains committed to its role as the opposition.
As the political landscape in Thailand continues to evolve, the potential ascension of Paetongtarn to the prime minister’s office underscores the enduring influence and significance of the Shinawatra family in the country’s governance. The parliamentary vote on Friday will be a pivotal moment for Thai politics and could shape the nation’s future trajectory under her leadership.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com