By Ollus Ndomu
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 37-year-old daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been named Thailand’s new prime minister after securing enough parliamentary support. Her appointment follows the removal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin by the Constitutional Court, which ousted him for appointing a convicted individual as a minister.
Paetongtarn is now the youngest person to ever hold the office in Thailand. Despite her lack of political experience, she has taken the reins in a country still deeply divided over her father’s legacy.
Critics and analysts have expressed concerns that she could be influenced by her father, who remains a polarizing figure in Thai politics.
Paetongtarn’s rise marks a significant moment in the Shinawatra family’s continued influence in Thailand, but questions remain about her ability to navigate the complex political landscape on her own.
