Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra to become new Thai PM

She will be the country’s second woman prime minister after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, and the third leader from the political clan

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Leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin. Photo: AP

Published: 1:25pm, 16 Aug 2024Updated: 9:05pm, 16 Aug 2024

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 37-year-old daughter of billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra, will be Thailand’s new prime minister after she sailed through a vote of lower house lawmakers.

Once formally appointed by Thailand’s king, she will become the country’s youngest-ever leader; only the second woman to run the nation and the third Shinawatra to carry the family name into the post, after her father Thaksin and her aunt Yingluck.

Paetongtarn’s stunning political elevation – she has never served as an MP or a minister – follows Wednesday’s court dismissal of her predecessor, real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin, after an ethics probe.

In her first comments as prime minister, Paetongtarn said she had been saddened and confused by Srettha’s dismissal and decided it was time to step up.

“I talked to Srettha, my family and people in my party and decided it was about time to do something for the country and the party,” she told reporters.

“I hope I can do my best to make the country go forward. That’s what I’m trying to do. Today I’m honoured and I feel very happy.”