Jump to content

Paetongtarn Shinawatra

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Sangjinhwa (talk | contribs) at 09:36, 17 August 2024 (→References). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra
RThBh
แพทองธาร ชินวัตร
Paetongtarn in 2023
31st Prime Minister of Thailand
Designate
Assuming office
18 August 2024
MonarchVajiralongkorn
SucceedingPhumtham Wechayachai (acting)
Leader of the Pheu Thai Party
Incumbent
Assumed office
27 October 2023
Preceded byChusak Sirinil (acting)
Cholnan Srikaew
Personal details
Born (1986-08-21) 21 August 1986 (age 38)
Bangkok, Thailand[1]
Political partyPheu Thai
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2019)​
Children2
Parents
Relatives
Education
Occupation
  • Politician
  • businesswoman
SignatureCursive signature in ink
NicknameUng Ing (อุ๊งอิ๊ง)

Paetongtarn Shinawatra RThBh (Template:Lang-th; RTGS: Phaethongthan Chinnawat; born 21 August 1986) is a Thai politician and businesswoman who is serving as Prime Minister of Thailand since 2024 and as leader of the Pheu Thai Party since 2023. A member of the Shinawatra political family, she is the youngest daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra (prime minister from 2001 to 2006) and a niece of Yingluck Shinawatra (prime minister from 2011 to 2014).[2][3] She is the youngest person in Thai history to become prime minister and the second woman to hold the position.[4]

Early life and education

Paetongtarn was born on 21 August 1986[5] in Bangkok.[1] She went to Saint Joseph Convent School for junior high school and Mater Dei School for high school. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in Political Science, Sociology, and Anthropology from the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University in 2008 and continued her studies in England, earning an MSc degree in International Hotel Management from the University of Surrey.[5]

Business career

Paetongtarn is the largest shareholder of SC Asset Corporation [th] and a director of the Thaicom Foundation. As of 2022, she holds a total of 21 companies valued at approximately ฿68 billion (US$2 billion).[6]

Political career

Paetongtarn Shinawatra during a speech after being elected to be Pheu Thai Party leader

At a meeting of the Pheu Thai Party on 20 March 2022, Paetongtarn was elected as "Head of the Pheu Thai Family".[7] When speaking at the Pheu Thai Party's annual general meeting in April 2022, she said that she wants to see regime change in Thailand and wants to gain more experience before standing for the post of the country's prime minister.[8]

Paetongtarn became the leading prime minister-candidate in the opinion polls. In April 2023, she was officially nominated as one of the three prime minister-candidates of Pheu Thai Party for general election, along with Srettha Thavisin and Chaikasem Nitisiri.[9]

After the general election in May 2023, the Pheu Thai Party secured the second-highest number of seats in the House of Representatives, following the Move Forward Party. She expressed disappointment that the party did not achieve first place as planned but stated that she was ready to work with the Move Forward Party and other parties willing to form a coalition with both parties.[10] However, after Pheu Thai Party withdrew from the memorandum of understanding to form a government with the Move Forward Party, on 9 August, she and Pheu Thai Party executives walked from the OAI Tower, where the party's headquarters are located, to the neighboring Thai Summit Tower to discuss with the Move Forward Party leaders about endorsing a candidate for the third round of prime ministerial voting.[11] The following day, it was reported that Paetongtarn informed the Move Forward Party leaders that Pheu Thai Party needed to bring the Palang Pracharath Party, led by General Prawit Wongsuwan, into the coalition government.[12] This led to the Move Forward Party deciding, six days later, not to support Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate. Following weeks of debate, Srettha was elected prime minister by the parliament of Thailand.

On 13 September 2023, during the first meeting of the 63rd Thai Cabinet, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered the establishment of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee and appointed Paetongtarn as the Deputy Chairperson.[13] Later, on 3 October, Srettha appointed her to two additional positions: Chairperson of the National Soft Power Development Committee[14] and a member of the Committee for the Organization of Celebrations for King Vajiralongkorn's 72nd Birthday Anniversary on 28 July 2024.[15] Subsequently, on 7 October, Srettha appointed her as the Deputy Chairperson of the National Health System Development Committee.[16]

On 27 October 2023, Paetongtarn was elected by the PTP's core members during a general assembly held at the party's head office to become the party's new leader, receiving 289 votes with one abstention.[17]

Prime Minister

See also: Paetongtarn cabinet

Following the removal of Srettha as prime minister by the Constitutional Court of Thailand on 14 August 2024, Paetongtarn was nominated by Pheu Thai to succeed him.[18] Her nomination was approved by Parliament on 16 August after no alternatives were named by the other parties in the ruling coalition,[19] making her the youngest person and the second woman to become Prime Minister of Thailand.[20]

Political positions

Social issues

Paetongtarn is socially liberal on most issues. She supports LGBT rights and attended the Bangkok Pride Parade in 2023 along with the MFP’s Pita Limjaroenrat. Additionally, she supports rewriting the constitution and scrapping military conscription. However, she opposes amending Thailand's lèse-majesté laws. Like her party, Paetongtarn supports stricter drug control and tough-on-crime measures.[21][22]

Although Paetongtarn and the PTP pledged not to form a government with military-linked parties such as United Thai Nation and Palang Pracharath, the PTP-led government consisted of both parties which led to widespread criticism.[23][24]

Economics

In a 2023 interview with FAROSE, Paetongtarn called herself a "socially-liberal capitalist". Paetongtarn stated that her party and Srettha Thavisin wants to focus on bread and butter issues and improving the economy. She supports "capitalism with empathy" along with gradually raising the minimum wage and implementing a ฿10,000 'digital wallet' scheme.[25]

In May 2024, Paetongtarn told party members at an event held at Pheu Thai headquarters "The law that keeps the Bank of Thailand (BoT) independent from the government … is a problem and a significant obstacle in fixing economic problems", referencing the decade-high interest-rate of 2.50% which Srettha Thavisin believes was hurting small businesses and hurting government efforts to jumpstart an economy he says is in crisis. Paetongtarn said BoT monetary policy "refuses to understand and cooperate" and would hamper efforts to reduce high levels of debt.[26]

Personal life

File:ปิฎก สุขสวัสดิ์.png
Paetongtarn Shinawatra's husband, Pitaka Suksawat

She is married to Pitaka Suksawat, a Thai businessman, currently the Deputy Chief Investment Officer of Rende Development Co., Ltd., and a board member of the Thaicom Foundation.[citation needed]

Their daughter in January 2021.[27] Their son was born in May 2023, two weeks before the 2023 Thai general election.[28]

Royal decorations

References

  1. ^ a b "Who is Thailand's youngest Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra?". The Indian Express. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  2. ^ "New Shinawatra may lead the next quest for power as Pheu Thai aims for 14 million members". Thai Examiner. 21 March 2022. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Young Shinawatra appointed Pheu Thai chief adviser for innovation". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes Thailand's youngest prime minister". CNBC. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b "เปิดประวัติ อุ๊งอิ๊ง-แพทองธาร ทายาทชินวัตร หัวหน้าครอบครัวเพื่อไทย". matichon (in Thai). 22 March 2022. Archived from the original on 1 November 2022. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  6. ^ "เจาะขุมทรัพย์ อุ๊งอิ๊ง แพทองธาร ชินวัตร ทรัพย์สินอู้ฟู่ 6.8 หมื่นล้าน". thansettakij (in Thai). 20 March 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  7. ^ "The Return of Shinawatra in Thai politics?". Asia Media Centre | New Zealand. 5 April 2022. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  8. ^ "New 'Pheu Thai Family' head wants more experience before becoming PM". www.thaipbsworld.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  9. ^ "Pheu Thai Party unveils its three prime ministerial candidates". www.thaipbsworld.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  10. ^ "เพื่อไทย ยอมรับผิดหวัง เป็นรองก้าวไกล ยินดีโหวต 'พิธา' นายกฯ ให้ กก.บห.คุยดีลตั้ง รบ. (คลิป)". Matichon. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  11. ^ ""แพทองธาร" ยัน ก้าวไกล-เพื่อไทย ไม่มีปัญหากัน-"ภูมิธรรม" อุบตอบเรื่องกลับไปจับมือ (คลิป)". www.thairath.co.th (in Thai). 9 August 2023. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  12. ^ "เบื้องหลัง"อุ๊งอิ๊ง"ถกก้าวไกลแจ้งจำเป็นต้องพึ่งพรรค"ลุงป้อม"ตั้งรัฐบาล". thansettakij (in Thai). 10 August 2023. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  13. ^ "ตั้ง "อุ๊งอิ๊ง" นั่งรองประธานยุทธศาสตร์ซอฟต์เพาเวอร์". mgronline.com (in Thai). 13 September 2023. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  14. ^ "แผนรัฐเคลื่อน ซอฟต์พาวเวอร์ 4 ล้านล้าน เปิด 'รีสกิล' 20 ล้านครัวเรือนต้นปี 67". bangkokbiznews (in Thai). 23 October 2023. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  15. ^ "สรุปข่าวการประชุมคณะรัฐมนตรี 3 ตุลาคม 2566". Thai Gov Web News. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  16. ^ "นายกฯ เซ็นตั้งบอร์ดพัฒนาระบบสุขภาพแห่งชาติ ดึง "อุ๊งอิ๊ง" นั่งรองประธาน". mgronline.com (in Thai). 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Paetongtarn elected new Pheu Thai leader". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Thailand's Pheu Thai party picks Paetongtarn Shinawatra as PM candidate". France 24. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Thai lawmakers elect Thaksin's daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra as PM". France 24. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  20. ^ "Ex-PM's daughter picked as youngest ever Thai leader". BBC. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Pita promises same-sex marriage at 50,000-strong Pride parade". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Pheu Thai vows to restrict ganja, crackdown on stock manipulators". nationthailand. 30 April 2023. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  23. ^ พรรคนี้เป็นไงบ้าง? EP2 เพื่อไทย. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  24. ^ "'แพทองธาร' ระบุเป็นต้นทุนที่ 'เพื่อไทย' ต้องจ่าย ปมจับมือกับพรรค 2 ลุง รับเหตุแลนด์สไลด์ไม่สำเร็จ | ประชาไท Prachatai.com". prachatai.com (in Thai). 7 May 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  25. ^ พรรคนี้เป็นไงบ้าง? EP2 เพื่อไทย. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
  26. ^ "Paetongtarn: Central bank independence 'an obstacle'". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  27. ^ ""แพทองธาร" สุดปลื้ม คลอดลูกสาว น่ารักน่าชัง แล้ว ชื่อเล่น "น้องธิธาร"". Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  28. ^ "เลือกตั้ง 2566 : ครอบครัวชินวัตรได้ข่าวดี "อุ๊งอิ๊งค์" คลอดลูกชาย คนที่ 2". Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
  29. ^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นที่สรรเสริญยิ่งดิเรกคุณาภรณ์ ประจำปี ๒๕๔๘, เล่ม ๑๒๒ ตอนที่ ๒๒ ข หน้า ๘, ๓ ธันวาคม ๒๕๔๘
Party political offices
Preceded by
Chusak Sirinil
Acting
 Leader of Pheu Thai Party
2023–present 		Incumbent
Political offices
Preceded by Prime Minister of Thailand
Designated
2024–present 		Incumbent
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Paetongtarn_Shinawatra&oldid=1240770989"