KATHMANDU: Paetongtarn Shinawatra was chosen by parliament two days ago, and King Maha Vajiralongkorn has now legally recognized him as Thailand's prime minister. As the youngest prime minister in Thai history, Paetongtarn, 37, is the second woman to occupy the role. Furthermore, after her father Thaksin Shinawatra and aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, she is the third Shinawatra relative to assume the role. With Thailand's continuous political turmoil, her confirmation marks the beginning of a new era.
In Thailand's political system, royal support is merely nominal, but it gives Paetongtarn the green light to appoint her cabinet in the upcoming weeks. She replaced Srettha Thavisin, who was just removed by the Constitutional Court, after winning almost two-thirds of the vote in the House of Representatives. The court's decision is a part of the larger political unrest, which includes coups and court interventions, that has defined Thailand's recent past.
In her maiden speech as prime minister, Paetongtarn underlined that she was committed to carrying out her predecessor's initiatives, with a focus on drug reform, economic stimulus, and systemic improvements in healthcare. She promised to defend the party's signature digital wallet bill, but she also said she would be open to exploring other avenues to guarantee financial accountability.
Despite her promising start, Paetongtarn faces significant challenges. The Thai economy is struggling, and the Pheu Thai party, of which she is a prominent member, has yet to fully deliver on its ambitious promises. The recent dismissal of Srettha highlights the precarious nature of political stability in Thailand, where past governments have been frequently overturned.
The Shinawatra family's influence is a source of both controversy and support for the current political unrest in Thailand, which is a reflection of a larger fight inside the country's political system. The anti-establishment Move Forward Party's collapse and other recent court decisions and political upheavals highlight the unstable climate Paetongtarn will face as she takes office.
