Thailand’s parliament votes for Paetongtarn Shinawatra to be next prime minister
The vote came two days after Thailand’s Constitutional Court removed former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin from office, in a surprise decision that plunged the kingdom into further political uncertainty and raised fresh concern over the erosion of democratic rights.
Paetongtarn, 37, was nominated as the sole candidate by her Pheu Thai party’s ruling coalition to replace Srettha. She still needs to be endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn before she can officially take office and appoint a Cabinet.
Paetongtarn will be Thailand’s second female prime minister, after her aunt Yingluck – and the youngest to hold the position.
A political newcomer, Paetongtarn was one of three prime ministerial candidates for Pheu Thai ahead of the May 2023 national elections and made international headlines when she gave birth just two weeks before the vote.
Her appointment adds another twist to a years-long saga that has shaken up Thailand’s already-turbulent political landscape.
Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup. Thaksin is one of Thailand’s most influential figures, whose economic and populist policies enabled him to build up a political machine that has dominated Thai politics for the past two decades.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
The appointment of Paetongtarn as Prime Minister has sparked interest across the world, particularly in Asia, given her family's prominent role in Thai politics. The removal of former Prime Minister Srettha from office has led to renewed discussions about the state of democratic rights in the world, with Thailand being a prominent case study.
