National emergency but ‘Dad’s Chance’ is solid… Youngest daughter with 6% approval rating, pushes ahead with appointment as Prime Minister

Patongtan, 3 Years After Entering Politics, Becomes Prime Minister
Fourth Generation of Thaksin Family, Youngest Prime Minister Ever

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Patongtan Shinawatra elected as Prime Minister of Thailand [EPA = 연합뉴스]

Following the dissolution of the largest party and the removal of the prime minister, Thailand’s political landscape has become chaotic. The new prime minister is Patongtan Shinawatra (37), the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. She is the youngest prime minister in history and the second female prime minister after her sister, Yingluck Shinawatra. This election marks the first time a female prime minister has been elected to office.

The Free Thai Party, effectively led by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is trying to regain political control by backing Prime Minister Patongtan. However, experts forecast that this will be challenging as the Forward Party, which was victorious in the last general election, remains popular, and there are strong checks and balances within the coalition government and from outside forces.

On the 16th, Thailand’s House of Representatives elected Patongtan, the leader of the Free Thai Party, as the 31st Prime Minister. She was nominated as the sole candidate by 11 coalition parties and successfully secured a majority of votes in the afternoon. The final tally showed 319 votes in favor, 145 against, and 27 abstentions. She will officially take office as Prime Minister once she receives approval from the King.

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The Thaksin family will produce its fourth prime minister, following former prime minister Thaksin (2001–2006), his sister Yingluck (2011–2014), and Thaksin’s brother-in-law and Patongtan’s uncle, Somchai Wongsawat, who briefly served as prime minister in 2008.

The ruling Free Thai Party aims to restore its reputation and increase its approval ratings after the appointment of new Prime Minister Patongtan. Nevertheless, experts caution that this will be a difficult task.

Former Prime Minister Setha Thaweesin, a member of the Pratiyi Party, was dismissed on the 14th after the Constitutional Court ruled his appointment of a corrupt official as a minister unconstitutional. Prime Minister Setha had previously appointed Phichit Chuenban, who was sentenced to prison for attempting to bribe a court official, as the Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office.

The 11 parties in the coalition government led by the Free Thai Party have quickly deployed Prime Minister Patongtan to shift the political atmosphere. Although she was considered a potential strong candidate for the next prime minister, she was not mentioned in personnel selections due to her age. In Thai politics, it was anticipated that former Prime Minister Thaksin would shield his daughter, who lacks political experience, from the ongoing political turmoil and later position her as prime minister. In fact, reports indicated that as of the 15th, ruling party leaders were contemplating former Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitishiri as a potential prime ministerial candidate.

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Despite the election of a new prime minister, Thailand’s political scenario is increasingly becoming chaotic. Earlier, on the 7th, Thailand’s Constitutional Court unanimously ruled to dissolve the main opposition party, the Forward Party, which had received the highest number of votes in the general election, asserting that it posed a threat to the constitutional monarchy. The court also banned 11 former and current leaders of the Forward Party, including former leader Pita Rimcharnrat, from engaging in political activities for the next 10 years.

However, local reports indicate that the People’s Party, hastily established by the Forward Party on the 9th, attracted nearly 40,000 new members within a single day and secured 20 million baht (approximately 800 million won) in sponsorship. All 143 members of the House of Representatives who belonged to the Forward Party have shifted their allegiance to the People’s Party. The People’s Party logo is an inverted triangle similar to that of the Forward Party, and its symbolic color is also orange.

Another challenge is the unpopularity of the new prime minister among the public. A recent opinion poll revealed that only 6% of voters supported her as prime minister. The New York Times reported that Patongtan’s approval rating trails not only former Progressive Party leader Pitha, who is disqualified from political activities, but also former prime minister Tabisin, who was removed from office.

Numerous factions within and outside the coalition government do not wish for Patongtan to thrive, and some royalist conservative vested interests and the military are expressing strong opposition to her, as highlighted by the BBC’s analysis that Patongtan will face many checks and balances.

Revitalizing the economy, which has struggled with low growth for several years, is a top priority; however, this is also expected to be a tough task. Local media have reported that Prime Minister Phe Tong Thanh is likely to abandon the populist policy of distributing 10,000 baht (around 390,000 won) to each of the 50 million people to stimulate the economy.

Patongtan, the youngest of Thaksin’s three children, was born in the United States in 1986, graduated from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s most prestigious university, with a degree in political science, and earned a master’s degree in international hotel management from the University of Surrey in the UK.

Having managed a hotel group owned by the Thaksin family, she entered politics in October 2021 as an advisor to the Phua Thai Party, was appointed party leader last year, and became prime minister after three years in politics.

Patongtan, 3 Years After Entering Politics, Becomes Prime Minister
Fourth Generation of Thaksin Family, Youngest Ever Prime Minister

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Enlarge the photo

Patongtan Shinawatra elected as Prime Minister of Thailand [EPA = 연합뉴스]

Political Landscape in Thailand

Following the dissolution of the largest party and the dismissal of the prime minister, Thailand’s political situation is in turmoil. The newly elected prime minister, Patongtan Shinawatra (37), represents a significant shift in the country’s political narrative. As the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, she holds the record for being the youngest prime minister in Thailand’s history and is only the second female prime minister, after her sister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The Path to Prime Ministership

On the 16th of August 2024, Patongtan, leading the Free Thai Party—effectively backed by her father Thaksin—was elected as the 31st Prime Minister by Thailand’s House of Representatives. She was the single candidate nominated from a coalition of 11 parties, achieving a majority vote: 319 in favor, 145 against, and 27 abstentions. Her official appointment will be confirmed upon receiving the King’s approval.

The Thaksin Legacy

The installation of Patongtan marks the production of the fourth prime minister from the Thaksin family, following:

• Thaksin Shinawatra: Prime Minister from 2001–2006.
• Yingluck Shinawatra: Prime Minister from 2011–2014.
• Somchai Wongsawat: Briefly served in 2008 (Thaksin’s brother-in-law).

Current Political Challenges

The new government seeks to stabilize the political landscape, facing strong opposition from various factions, including the Forward Party, which previously garnered significant support in the last general election. Experts suggest that while Patongtan’s election is seen as a potential turnaround for her party, it will not be an easy task due to the complications within and outside the coalition government.

The Fallout from the Previous Administration

Former Prime Minister Setha Thaweesin was dismissed on August 14 after the Constitutional Court ruled that his appointment of a corrupt minister was unconstitutional, intensifying political instability.

Public Perception and Approval Ratings

Despite the historic significance of her election, Patongtan faces a significant challenge in gaining public support. Recent polls indicate that only 6% of voters favor her as prime minister, trailing behind other political figures who previously occupied the spotlight. The unpopularity stems from her limited experience and the tumultuous political backdrop she inherits.

Political Opposition and Support

The recent dissolution of the Forward Party by the Constitutional Court for allegedly threatening the constitutional monarchy has further complicated the situation. This has led to the emergence of a new political entity, the People’s Party, which quickly attracted an impressive membership and funding, signaling an ongoing demand for change in Thailand’s political landscape.

Patongtan’s Ambitions and Policies

Despite the challenges, Patongtan aims to restore her party’s reputation and improve the economy, which has been plagued by low growth rates. Initial plans proposed by her include:

• A focus on populist measures, such as distributing 10,000 baht to 50 million citizens to stimulate economic activity.
• Setting up supportive infrastructure for local businesses and attracting foreign investment.
• Improving public health and education systems to bolster human capital.

However, local media have reported skepticism regarding the viability of her populist policies amid the current economic challenges.

Background of Patongtan Shinawatra

Born in the United States in 1986, Patongtan graduated from Chulalongkorn University with a degree in political science and obtained her master’s degree in international hotel management from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom. She previously managed a hotel group owned by the Thaksin family before entering politics in 2021.

Conclusion

As the youngest prime minister in her party’s history, Patongtan’s leadership may usher in a new era in Thai politics, but success will depend on her ability to navigate the turbulent waters of public perception, political opposition, and economic governance.