Paetongtarn Shinawatra RThBh (Thai: แพทองธาร ชินวัตร; RTGS: Phaethongthan Chinnawat; pronounced [pʰɛ̄ː.tʰɔ̄ːŋ.tʰāːn tɕʰīn.nā.wát]; born 21 August 1986) is a Thai politician and businesswoman who has served as Prime Minister of Thailand since 16 August 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). Paetongtarn became the youngest prime minister of Thailand and is the second woman to hold the position, following her aunt.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra | |
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แพทองธาร ชินวัตร | |
![]() Paetongtarn in 2023 | |
31st Prime Minister of Thailand | |
Assumed office 16 August 2024 | |
Monarch | Vajiralongkorn |
Preceded by | Phumtham Wechayachai (acting) |
Leader of the Pheu Thai Party | |
Assumed office 27 October 2023 | |
Preceded by | Chusak Sirinil (acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | Bangkok, Thailand | 21 August 1986
Political party | Pheu Thai |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Parents |
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Relatives | Shinawatra family
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Alma mater | |
Occupation |
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Signature | ![]() |
Nickname | Ung Ing (อุ๊งอิ๊ง) |
Early life and education
editPaetongtarn was born on 21 August 1986[1] in Bangkok.[2][3] She completed her junior secondary education at Saint Joseph Convent School and her upper secondary education at Mater Dei School. Paetongtarn studied at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University where she obtained a BA degree in Political Science in 2008, with a focus on Sociology and Anthropology. Paetongtarn then continued her studies in England, where she obtained an MSc degree in International Hotel Management from the University of Surrey.[1]
Business career
editPaetongtarn is the largest shareholder of SC Asset Corporation and a director of the Thaicom Foundation, a benefactor of her family's wealth. As of 2022, she holds a total of 21 companies valued at approximately ฿68 billion (US$2 billion).[4]
Political career
editAt a meeting of the Pheu Thai Party on 20 March 2022, Paetongtarn was elected as "Head of the Pheu Thai Family".[5] When speaking at the Pheu Thai Party's annual general meeting in April 2022, she said that she wanted to see regime change in Thailand and wanted to gain more experience before standing for the post of the country's prime minister.[6][7][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 the 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
editFollowing 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 the House of Representatives on 16 August after no alternatives were named by the other parties in the ruling coalition,[19][20] making her the youngest person and the second woman to become Prime Minister of Thailand.[21][22] She was officially sworn in on 18 August following an endorsement from King Vajiralongkorn.[23]
Political positions
editSocial issues
editPaetongtarn is socially liberal on many issues.[24] 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.[25][26]
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.[27][28]
Economics
editIn a 2023 interview, 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.[29]
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.[30]
Personal life
editPaetongtarn's nickname is Ung Ing (Thai: อุ๊งอิ๊ง).[31] She is married to Pitaka Suksawat, a Thai businessman who is the Deputy Chief Investment Officer of Rende Development Co., Ltd., and a board member of the Thaicom Foundation.[32]
Pitak and Paethongtarn have one daughter, Thitara Suksawat,[33] who was born on 10 January 2021,[34] and one son, Phrutthasin Suksawat, who was born on 1 May 2023, ahead of the general election the same month.[35]
Royal decorations
edit- Thailand
- 2005 – The Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn, 6th Class, Gold Medal (G.M.T.)[36]
References
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ Chen, Heather; Olarn, Kocha (9 April 2023). "A coup ousted her father. Now she's standing in Thailand's election". CNN. Archived from the original on 23 September 2023. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
- ^ Campbell, Charlie (18 April 2023). "Her Family Was Ousted From Power in Thailand. Now She Wants to Be Asia's Youngest-Ever Female Leader". TIME. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Young Shinawatra appointed Pheu Thai chief adviser for innovation". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
- ^ "Pheu Thai Party unveils its three prime ministerial candidates". www.thaipbsworld.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
- ^ "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.
- ^ ""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.
- ^ "เบื้องหลัง"อุ๊งอิ๊ง"ถกก้าวไกลแจ้งจำเป็นต้องพึ่งพรรค"ลุงป้อม"ตั้งรัฐบาล". thansettakij (in Thai). 10 August 2023. Archived from the original on 11 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "ตั้ง "อุ๊งอิ๊ง" นั่งรองประธานยุทธศาสตร์ซอฟต์เพาเวอร์". mgronline.com (in Thai). 13 September 2023. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "สรุปข่าวการประชุมคณะรัฐมนตรี 3 ตุลาคม 2566". Thai Gov Web News. Archived from the original on 10 October 2023. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "นายกฯ เซ็นตั้งบอร์ดพัฒนาระบบสุขภาพแห่งชาติ ดึง "อุ๊งอิ๊ง" นั่งรองประธาน". mgronline.com (in Thai). 8 October 2023. Archived from the original on 7 January 2024. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Paetongtarn elected new Pheu Thai leader". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ "Thailand's Pheu Thai party picks Paetongtarn Shinawatra as PM candidate". France 24. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Paetongtarn Shinawatra elected Thailand's 31st prime minister". Bangkok Post. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes Thailand's youngest prime minister". CNBC. 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Thailand's Paetongtarn Shinawatra sworn in as PM after royal sign-off". Al Jazeera. 18 August 2024. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
- ^ "Paetongtarn Shinawatra: Thai heiress brings back divisive dynasty. But for how long?". www.bbc.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ พรรคนี้เป็นไงบ้าง? EP2 เพื่อไทย. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "'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.
- ^ พรรคนี้เป็นไงบ้าง? EP2 เพื่อไทย. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2024 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Paetongtarn: Central bank independence 'an obstacle'". Bangkok Post. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
- ^ ""อุ๊งอิ๊ง" แพทองธาร มองอย่างไรเรื่อง ม.112, กัญชา, ดิจิทัลวอลเล็ต". BBC News (in Thai). 16 August 2024. Archived from the original on 16 August 2024.
- ^ "From commercial pilot to her key supporter: Meet Thai PM Paetongtarn's husband". The Straits Times. 17 August 2024. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ ""แพทองธาร" สุดปลื้ม คลอดลูกสาว น่ารักน่าชัง แล้ว ชื่อเล่น "น้องธิธาร"". 10 January 2021. Archived from the original on 19 October 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ ""อุ๊งอิ๊งค์ แพทองธาร" คลอด "น้องธิธาร" ลูกคนแรกแล้ว "ทักษิณ" ปลื้มหลานหน้าเหมือน". www.sanook.com/news (in Thai). 10 January 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
- ^ ""เลือกตั้ง 2566 : ครอบครัวชินวัตรได้ข่าวดี "อุ๊งอิ๊งค์" คลอดลูกชาย คนที่ 2". May 2023. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ ราชกิจจานุเบกษา, ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นที่สรรเสริญยิ่งดิเรกคุณาภรณ์ ประจำปี ๒๕๔๘, เล่ม ๑๒๒ ตอนที่ ๒๒ ข หน้า ๘, ๓ ธันวาคม ๒๕๔๘