In a historic move, Thailand's parliament has elected political novice Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its youngest prime minister, marking a significant turning point in the country's political landscape.
Thailand's political landscape has witnessed a seismic shift with the election of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the country's youngest prime minister on Friday. This groundbreaking development comes just a day after the dismissal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, amid a relentless power struggle between the nation's warring elites.
The 37-year-old daughter of divisive political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn's ascent to the top office has been met with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty. She faces an immediate trial by fire, assuming the mantle of leadership two days after her ally, Srettha Thavisin, was removed as premier by a judiciary that has played a central role in Thailand's two decades of intermittent political turmoil.
Thailand's Political Landscape Unveils Unprecedented Shift with Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Prime Minister
The stakes are particularly high for Paetongtarn, as her premiership could shape the legacy and political future of the billionaire Shinawatra family. The family's once unstoppable populist juggernaut suffered its first election defeat in over two decades last year, forcing it to forge a deal with its bitter military foes to form a government.
Paetongtarn's election marks the second time a female has held the prime minister's office in Thailand, and she becomes the third Shinawatra to occupy the top job after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra and father Thaksin, the country's most influential and polarizing politician.
Thailand's Political Landscape Unveils Unprecedented Shift with Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Prime Minister
In her first media comments as prime minister-elect, Paetongtarn expressed sorrow and bewilderment over Srettha's dismissal, declaring that it was time for her to step up. "I hope I can do my best to make the country go forward. That's what I'm trying to do. Today I'm honored and I feel very happy," she told reporters.
Paetongtarn's ascent has raised eyebrows, given her lack of prior government experience. However, her supporters maintain that her fresh perspective and relative inexperience could prove to be an asset in navigating the country's complex political landscape.
She will face a plethora of challenges on multiple fronts, with the economy faltering, competition from a rival party intensifying, and Pheu Thai's popularity waning due to its failure to deliver on its flagship cash handout program worth 500 billion baht ($14.25 billion).
Thailand's benchmark index.SETI experienced a slight upturn of about 1.1% by 0900 GMT on Friday, despite losing nearly 9% this year.
Analysts have characterized the Shinawatras' move as risky, exposing Thaksin's daughter to potential hostilities in a political climate marred by coups and court rulings that have dissolved parties and toppled governments. The Shinawatras and their business associates have been at the epicenter of this crisis, which pits parties with mass appeal against a formidable alliance of conservatives, wealthy families, and royalist generals.
Just days ago, the court that dismissed Srettha also dissolved the anti-establishment Move Forward Party, the projected winner of the 2023 election, over a campaign to modify a law against insulting the crown, which it deemed a threat to the constitutional monarchy. The popular opposition party has since regrouped under a new banner, People's Party.
These recent upheavals signal a breakdown in the fragile truce brokered between Thaksin and his establishment and military rivals, which had enabled his return from 15 years of self-exile in 2023 and ally Srettha's appointment as premier.
Thaksin's decision to field Paetongtarn at such a critical juncture has surprised many analysts, who had anticipated a delay in his dynastic ambitions to shield his daughter from the political battles that led to the downfall of himself and Yingluck, both of whom fled overseas to avoid imprisonment after their governments were overthrown by the military.
"This is a big bet for Thaksin. There is a possibility for her to fail and that is a big risk for the entire Shinawatra dynasty," said Titipol Phakdeewanich, a political scientist at Ubon Ratchathani University. "If she can't bring the economy back and bring the party back then it could be the end because the People's Party is gaining more momentum after their dissolution."
