Paetongtarn Shinawatra, at 37, has been elected as Thailand’s youngest-ever prime minister.
Her appointment, made on Friday, follows the recent dismissal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who was removed amid controversy regarding a questionable appointment. Srettha Thavisin was ousted after the Constitutional Court ruled 6-3 in favor of a petition from 40 senators.
Paetongtarn, known affectionately as Ung-Ing, secured her new role with relative ease, thanks to her party's significant parliamentary majority. The Pheu Thai Party and its allies control 314 of the 493 parliamentary seats, giving her a solid base of support. Her election required backing from at least half of the current legislators, which she achieved comfortably.
Before her entry into politics in 2021, Paetongtarn worked in the family’s hotel business and studied at Chulalongkorn University, one of Thailand's most prestigious institutions. Her political career began as head of the Pheu Thai Party’s Inclusion and Innovation Advisory Committee, setting the stage for her rise to the top position.
Paetongtarn’s election is historically significant, marking her as the third member of her family to become prime minister. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, served from 2001 until he was deposed by a military coup in 2006, while her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, held the office from 2011 until her removal in 2014, followed by another military coup.
As Thailand's second female prime minister, Paetongtarn’s leadership represents a new phase in the nation’s complex political landscape.
Her appointment, made on Friday, follows the recent dismissal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who was removed amid controversy regarding a questionable appointment. Srettha Thavisin was ousted after the Constitutional Court ruled 6-3 in favor of a petition from 40 senators.
Paetongtarn, known affectionately as Ung-Ing, secured her new role with relative ease, thanks to her party's significant parliamentary majority. The Pheu Thai Party and its allies control 314 of the 493 parliamentary seats, giving her a solid base of support. Her election required backing from at least half of the current legislators, which she achieved comfortably.
Before her entry into politics in 2021, Paetongtarn worked in the family’s hotel business and studied at Chulalongkorn University, one of Thailand's most prestigious institutions. Her political career began as head of the Pheu Thai Party’s Inclusion and Innovation Advisory Committee, setting the stage for her rise to the top position.
Paetongtarn’s election is historically significant, marking her as the third member of her family to become prime minister. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, served from 2001 until he was deposed by a military coup in 2006, while her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, held the office from 2011 until her removal in 2014, followed by another military coup.
As Thailand's second female prime minister, Paetongtarn’s leadership represents a new phase in the nation’s complex political landscape.