T hailand’s parliament has elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a 37-year-old political newcomer, as the country’s next prime minister. Her election on Friday follows the recent dismissal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin by Thailand’s Constitutional Court, deepening the country’s political uncertainty.
Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, won 319 votes in the House of Representatives. She now awaits formal endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn before officially taking office and forming a Cabinet. If confirmed, she will be Thailand's second female prime minister, after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, and the youngest ever to hold the position.
Her rise to power comes amid ongoing turbulence in Thai politics. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup and returned from self-imposed exile in August last year, continues to influence Thai politics through his family. Paetongtarn's appointment adds another chapter to the long-running saga of the Shinawatra family's involvement in Thai political life.
The dismissal of Srettha by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday was a significant blow to the Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai Party. This decision came after a series of political setbacks for the party, which has faced resistance from Thailand’s conservative establishment, including military, royalist, and business elites.
The ruling is part of a broader trend of judicial decisions impacting Thai politics. Recently, the Constitutional Court disbanded the progressive Move Forward Party, which had won a major electoral victory last year. The court’s actions, including the ruling against Srettha for appointing a controversial figure to the Cabinet, are viewed by many as an overreach that undermines democratic processes and reform efforts.
Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science professor at Chulalongkorn University, described the situation as semi-autocratic, suggesting that the conservative establishment wields significant power to influence political outcomes, diminishing the impact of popular votes.
As Thailand navigates this complex political landscape, Paetongtarn’s upcoming tenure will be closely watched to see how she addresses the challenges facing the country and whether she can stabilize the political situation amid ongoing tensions and legal controversies.
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