Thailand’s Parliament elects Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister amid political turmoil

Thailand’s parliament has elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of the influential and controversial tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, as the country’s next prime minister.

The 37-year-old political newcomer becomes Thailand’s second female prime minister and the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold the nation’s highest office, marking a surprising development that could exacerbate the ongoing power struggle in Thai politics.

The election of Paetongtarn comes just days after the Constitutional Court dismissed Srettha Thavisin as prime minister, dealing a significant blow to the Pheu Thai Party.

The party, a powerful force in Thai politics and a vehicle for the Shinawatra family’s populist agenda, has long been at odds with the conservative establishment and the royalist military. Srettha’s removal marks the fourth time a Pheu Thai prime minister has been ousted by court ruling, raising concerns of a deepening rift between the Shinawatra dynasty and Thailand’s traditional power brokers.

Srettha’s downfall is viewed as a sign of a breakdown in the uneasy truce that had appeared to form between Thaksin and his longstanding opponents in the military and elite circles.

This truce had seemingly allowed Thaksin’s return from self-imposed exile last year and Srettha’s subsequent appointment as prime minister. However, the alliance, which had included former military rivals, now seems to be in jeopardy, leaving the country on the brink of further political instability.

Paetongtarn’s unexpected rise to leadership has surprised political analysts who had speculated that her father, Thaksin, would delay her entry into the cutthroat arena of Thai politics.

Thaksin, who remains a deeply polarizing figure in Thailand, had previously seen two governments led by his family ousted in military coups. His return to Thailand last August, coinciding with Srettha’s ascension, had suggested a possible reconciliation with the military. However, the latest developments indicate that the political landscape remains as volatile as ever.

The Pheu Thai Party’s decision to rally behind Paetongtarn comes at a time of heightened political tension in the country.

The recent dissolution of the Move Forward Party (MFP), which had emerged as a significant challenge to the traditional power structure, and the disqualification of its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, from politics for a decade, has further strained the political environment. The MFP had won the popular vote in last year’s election but was blocked from forming a government by the military-appointed senate, which had also played a role in preventing Pita from becoming prime minister.

Srettha’s dismissal, linked to the appointment of Pichit Chuenban, a former lawyer associated with Thaksin who had previously been convicted on graft charges, underscores the ongoing influence of judicial and military power in shaping Thailand’s political future. Pichit’s resignation from the Cabinet following the case’s filing was not enough to prevent Srettha’s removal, signaling a relentless pursuit of the Shinawatra-linked government by its opponents.

As Paetongtarn steps into her new role, the uncertainty surrounding Thailand’s political stability is expected to weigh heavily on the country’s economy.

Srettha had championed a series of stimulus measures aimed at revitalizing Thailand’s struggling economy, including a proposal to distribute 10,000 baht (US$285) to 50 million citizens. With his departure, the fate of these initiatives remains unclear, adding to the concerns about the country’s future direction.

Paetongtarn’s tenure as prime minister is likely to be closely watched both domestically and internationally, as Thailand navigates its way through what could be another period of significant political upheaval.