Do you know Thaksin Shinawatra?
BANGKOK — The election of Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Thailand’s prime minister marks a significant return to a familiar political landscape, as she steps into a role long associated with her influential family. Her rise to power reignites the legacy of her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire and former prime minister who was ousted in a 2006 military coup.
At 37, Paetongtarn is the third member of the Shinawatra family to serve as Thailand’s prime minister. Her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, made history as the country’s first female prime minister, serving from 2011 until 2014. Another family member briefly held the position in 2008. The Shinawatra name has long been synonymous with Thai politics, and Paetongtarn’s election suggests a continuation of their influence.
Thaksin Shinawatra, a polarizing figure, was a dominant force in Thai politics, winning three elections with overwhelming support. However, his populist policies, which were immensely popular among the rural and working-class populations, clashed with Thailand’s royalist establishment. His detractors viewed his approach as a threat to the monarchy, a cornerstone of Thai identity, leading to significant opposition that ultimately resulted in his ouster and subsequent exile.
Despite his popularity, Thaksin’s political journey has been fraught with controversy. Last year, his decision to make a deal with conservative factions, allowing him to return from exile while sidelining the progressive Move Forward Party, alienated many of his former supporters. The Move Forward Party had secured the most votes in the election, but it was perceived as an even greater threat by the establishment than Thaksin’s Pheu Thai Party.
During her campaign for the Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn made it clear that while she acknowledges her family’s political legacy, she is not merely a proxy for her father. “It’s not the shadow of my dad. I am my dad’s daughter, always and forever, but I have my own decisions,” she stated in an interview. However, as she assumes office, there is little indication that she has diverged significantly from the policies associated with her father or the Pheu Thai Party. Her platform, like that of her predecessors, focuses on economic measures such as cash handouts and relaxed entry rules for tourists.
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The Shinawatra family’s complex relationship with the Thai political establishment continues to be a source of tension. Yingluck Shinawatra remains in exile, and unresolved legal issues could result in her imprisonment should she return to Thailand. These legal challenges are widely viewed as politically motivated, reflecting the ongoing struggles between the Shinawatra family and their opponents.
Throughout her campaign, Paetongtarn demonstrated both confidence and empathy, qualities that resonated with many voters. She traveled extensively across the country, addressing large crowds at rallies, even while pregnant with her second child. Her son, Prutthasin, was born less than two weeks before the election, adding a personal dimension to her public persona. Paetongtarn, affectionately known by her nickname “Ung Ing,” is the youngest of Thaksin’s three children, and it is evident that she has been groomed to carry on her father’s political legacy.
Paetongtarn’s formal entry into politics occurred in 2021 when the Pheu Thai Party appointed her as the head of its Inclusion and Innovation Advisory Committee. At the time, she downplayed any ambitions for higher office, telling reporters, “I feel safer to be an adviser than a politician. I want to make my project successful. For other things, I am not ready yet.” However, her appointment was widely interpreted as a signal that Thaksin remained a powerful influence within the party, continuing to shape its direction and strategy.
According to Kovit Wongsurawat, an associate professor at Bangkok’s Assumption University, Paetongtarn’s rise within the Pheu Thai Party underscores Thaksin’s enduring role as its key decision-maker. Her election as prime minister is both a continuation of her family’s political dynasty and a test of her ability to navigate the challenges that come with it.
As Paetongtarn takes on the responsibilities of prime minister, she faces the difficult task of balancing her father’s legacy with the need to establish her own identity as a leader. The political landscape in Thailand remains deeply divided, and Paetongtarn’s success will depend on her ability to address the concerns of both her supporters and her detractors while navigating the complex dynamics of Thai politics.
