Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, was sworn in as Thailand’s prime minister after receiving a royal blessing on Sunday. This came following a court order that ousted her predecessor. Paetongtarn is the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold the prime minister position, following her father and aunt, both of whom were removed from office due to coups.
She took over leadership from another member of the Pheu Thai Party and is leading a coalition that includes military-linked parties associated with previous coups in the country. Her appointment ceremony was attended by senior members of the governing coalition and her father, who is considered the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party.
Paetongtarn pledged to carry out her duties with an open mind and create opportunities for Thai people to dream and shape their future. She succeeded Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was removed from office by the Constitutional Court due to an ethical violation. At 37 years old, she is Thailand’s youngest leader and the second female prime minister after her aunt.
The Pheu Thai Party, linked to Thaksin Shinawatra, has been a dominant force in Thai politics despite facing challenges from opposition parties. Thaksin, who returned to Thailand last year after years in exile, was briefly imprisoned for corruption before being released on parole. He has since played an active role in public appearances and political affairs.
Thaksin recently received a royal pardon, allowing him to be free ahead of schedule, although he still faces legal challenges, including a defamation case related to the monarchy. The political landscape in Thailand remains complex, with divisions between different factions and ongoing power struggles.