Thaksin’s ‘little girl’ introduces Shinawatra name to the new Thai generation

Thailand – Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s youngest child, is now throwing herself into the country’s profoundly divided political scene ahead of a national election scheduled for March 2023.

She boasts half a million Instagram followers, lives a lavish lifestyle, and describes herself as the “little girl” of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, one of the country’s most powerful and controversial personalities.

The decision extends the Shinawatras’ clout to a new generation and sets the stage for the newest round of the ultra-wealthy clan’s 20-year feud with the kingdom‘s royalist-military elites.

Paetongtarn plays a minor role in the main opposition Pheu Thai party, although she is widely expected to be selected the party’s prime ministerial candidate if an election is called.

Thaksin, who was deposed as prime minister in 2006 by a military coup, appears frequently on Paetongtarn’s social media pages, cradling her baby or posing with his daughter over a bowl of noodles.

Paetongtarn says her father’s “unwavering support” gives her strength and that she will always be his “little child.”

Related Posts

It’s a sentiment that appeals to Thaksin’s legions of fans, many of whom are poor and rural, and who helped him win elections in 2001 and 2005.

During the Bangkok municipal elections last month, a well-wisher told her, “We need you. We miss your father.”

The powerful royalist and military elites, who loathe Thaksin and have long suspected him of directing opposition to their political supremacy from overseas, will be alarmed.

Since 2001, parties associated with the businessman have won the most seats in every Thai election, only to be deposed by coups or judicial judgements followed by major street protests.

Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Manchester City owner who established a telecoms empire worth about $1.9 billion, now lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai to avoid politically motivated corruption charges, according to Forbes.

In 2011, his sister Yingluck was elected Prime Minister, but she was removed in a coup in 2014 by Gen. Prayut Chan-O-Cha.

Prayut, who was elected prime minister in a contentious election in 2019, is widely regarded as a terrible economic manager and is losing popularity, especially among the youth, who marched to the streets in 2020 to demand democratic reform.

Prayut’s support for a candidate for Bangkok governor was smashed in last month’s election, which was won resoundingly by a former Pheu Thai minister.

Paetongtarn, who runs the hotel division of her family’s real estate firm, was getting her first taste of campaigning.

During Thaksin’s five years in power, the economy improved and the rural poor benefited, but detractors argue the period was marred by graft, nepotism, and authoritarianism.

Paetongtarn claims that Thailand improved under his leadership, and that she, like her father, thrives in hardship.

“After everything my father has done for our country, how could I not be proud of him?” she asks. “Thanks to him, I’m not only not afraid of criticism anymore, but I also see it as an opportunity for growth.”

Burapha

Sawadee-khrup. I am a multicultural Thai newswriter that is always on the lookout for daily news that are intriguing and unique in my native country Thailand.

Recent Posts

Shooting concludes: Stranger Things 5 to release on Netflix in 2025

Created by the Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things is one of the most popular sci-fi horror series globally. It is set…

December 21, 2024

China’s Hypersonic Expansion in Asia Raises Alarms for India

According to the US Department of Defense, China has now produced the most sophisticated supply of hypersonic weapons in the…

December 21, 2024

Melaka International Halal Festival 2024

The Melaka International Halal Festival 2024 aims to turn the city as the prime center of the Halal products and…

December 21, 2024

Chunichi Dragons Renews the Contract of Hiroto Takahashi with Annual Salary of 120 million yen

On Saturday, the stalwart of Chunichi Dragons Pitcher, Hiroto Takahashi attended the negotiation for his contract renewal for the next…

December 21, 2024

Biden-Harris administration cancels another $4.28 billion in US student loans

US President Joe Biden has cancelled another $4.28 billion in student loans for nearly 55,000 people across the country, the…

December 20, 2024

The Colorful SCTV 2024 Carnival: Programs, Date, Venue & Timing

Music, dance, celebration and mesmerizing stage performances before the fans who are at the peak of their enjoyment, is the…

December 20, 2024

This website uses cookies.

Read More