Who Is Thailand's Youngest PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra And What's Triggering Her Political Downfall?
A Shinawatra Heir With A Mandate To Heal
Paetongtarn Shinawatra is no ordinary politician. The youngest daughter of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and niece of ex-PM Yingluck Shinawatra, her surname alone evokes sharp divides in Thai politics, adored by rural voters and the working class, reviled by the royalist elite and Bangkok's conservative middle class.
Born on August 21, 1986, she graduated from Chulalongkorn University with a political science degree and later earned an MSc in International Hotel Management from the University of Surrey. Her early career was rooted in business, not politics. She served as an executive in her family's real estate and aviation ventures. But her political debut was almost inevitable.
Her formal entry into politics came in 2021, when she became chief of the Pheu Thai party's Inclusion and Innovation Advisory Committee. The appointment was widely seen as a soft launch for a political career crafted carefully behind the scenes.
In the 2023 general elections, the Pheu Thai Party ran on a platform promising economic stimulus, digital wallet schemes, and reconciliation, a far cry from the ideological battles of the past. Though it came second to the reformist Move Forward Party, Pheu Thai ultimately cobbled together a broad coalition after the Constitutional Court disqualified the leading party's prime ministerial candidate.
Backed by a mix of conservative and centrist forces, Paetongtarn Shinawatra was nominated as prime minister in August 2024, becoming the country's youngest to ever hold the office. To her supporters, she symbolised a pragmatic centre: young enough to promise change, but tied deeply to political experience through her lineage.
The Weight Of A Legacy
Paetongtarn's ascent was historic, but also heavy with baggage. Her family's past has shaped modern Thailand's political landscape in seismic ways. Her father, Thaksin, a billionaire telecom tycoon-turned-populist leader, was ousted in a 2006 military coup and later convicted in absentia on corruption charges. Her aunt, Yingluck, followed a similar arc — elected with sweeping rural support in 2011, but ousted by a military-led constitutional court in 2014.
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Though both remained popular in parts of the country, especially the northeast, they became symbols of a deep divide in Thai politics: between the rural majority that embraced their pro-poor policies, and an entrenched Bangkok elite aligned with the monarchy and military.
That legacy was both a strength and a liability for Paetongtarn. While it provided her with political machinery and loyal grassroots support, it also made her a lightning rod for suspicion among conservative forces. From day one, critics questioned whether she was her own person, or merely a proxy for her father's return to influence.
What Brought Her To The Brink: The Leak, The Fallout, The Fears
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The crisis that now threatens Paetongtarn's government centres around a leaked 17-minute phone call with Cambodian Senate President and former PM Hun Sen. In the conversation, which surfaced online earlier this week, Paetongtarn was reportedly heard discussing efforts to de-escalate border tensions after a deadly May 28 skirmish in the Emerald Triangle region, a volatile area where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet.
One Cambodian soldier had been killed in the clash. While a private negotiation between heads of state isn't in itself scandalous, what set off alarm bells was the tone of the call. Paetongtarn referred to Hun Sen, a longtime political ally of her father, as 'Uncle", and labelled a Thai military officer as an 'opponent".
In a country where the military is not only an institution but a political stakeholder, such language was incendiary. To the nationalist right, it signalled undue deference to a historical rival and disrespect to Thailand's own armed forces. The fact that Hun Sen reportedly shared the audio with over 80 Cambodian officials before uploading it to Facebook only worsened perceptions, casting Paetongtarn as diplomatically naïve and politically vulnerable.
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On Thursday, the crisis deepened. The Bhumjaithai Party, the second-largest member of the ruling coalition, withdrew its support, accusing the prime minister of compromising national sovereignty and damaging military morale. This sudden exit slashed the government's strength to a precarious 255 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives.
Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People's Party called the leak 'the final straw," demanding dissolution of Parliament and fresh elections. Protests also erupted outside Government House, and impeachment threats surfaced in the Senate. Several senators have reportedly initiated steps to file a formal no-confidence motion.
Although Paetongtarn has issued a public apology and insisted the comments were part of a 'de-escalation strategy", it appears her words, and the fallout from them, have struck a deeper nerve. Her decision to end private communications with Hun Sen and accuse the Cambodian leader of playing to domestic politics has done little to quell the storm.
History Repeats Itself?
Thailand has experienced around 13 successful military coups since 1932, and its armed forces remain a deeply entrenched force in national politics. While the current military leadership, which continues to wield significant influence behind the scenes, has so far exercised restraint, a rare statement issued by the Royal Thai Army on Thursday, reaffirming its commitment to 'protecting national sovereignty through legal frameworks," has been interpreted by analysts as a subtle warning.
The statement was widely viewed as a reminder of the army's institutional authority and its historical willingness to intervene during periods of political instability.
What's Next For Paetongtarn?
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First Post
8 hours ago
- First Post
Protests erupt in Bangkok as thousands demand Thai PM's resignation over leaked phone call
Outrage over the call mostly revolved around Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn's comments toward an outspoken regional army commander and her perceived attempts to appease Hun Sen, the current Cambodian Senate president, to ease tensions at the border read more Thousands of protesters gathered in Thailand's capital on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, part of the brewing political turmoil set off by a leaked phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Paetongtarn faces growing dissatisfaction over her handling of a recent border dispute with Cambodia involving an armed confrontation May 28. One Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested area. The recorded phone call with Hun Sen was at the heart of the demonstration Saturday and has set off a string of investigations in Thailand that could lead to Paetongtarn's removal. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Outrage over the call mostly revolved around Paetongtarn's comments toward an outspoken regional army commander and her perceived attempts to appease Hun Sen, the current Cambodian Senate president, to ease tensions at the border. Protesters held national flags and signs as they occupied parts of the streets around the Victory Monument in central Bangkok. At a huge stage set up at the monument, speakers took turns expressing love for Thailand following the intensified border dispute. Protesters chanted, sang and danced to songs stoking nationalist sentiment. Tatchakorn Srisuwan, 47, a guide from Surat Thani province, said he arrived in Bangkok by an overnight train to demand Paetongtarn's resignation over the leaked call. 'From a heart of a Thai person, we've never had a prime minister who's so weak,' he said. 'We don't want to invade anyone, but we want to say that we are Thai and we want to protect Thailand's sovereignty.' Many of the leading figures in the protest were familiar faces from a group popularly known as Yellow Shirts, whose clothing color indicates loyalty to the Thai monarchy. They are longtime foes of Paetongtarn's father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who reportedly has a close relationship with Hun Sen. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yellow Shirts rallies turned violent and led to military coups in 2006 and 2014, which respectively ousted the elected governments of Thaksin and Paetongtarn's aunt, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Hun Sen responds Hun Sen on Saturday vowed to protect his country's territory from foreign invaders and said the action by the Thai army was a serious violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, despite the country's good will in attempting to resolve the border issue. 'This poor Cambodia has suffered from foreign invasion, war and genocide, been surrounded and isolated and insulted in the past, but now Cambodia has risen on an equal face with other countries,' Hun Sen told an audience of thousands at the 74th anniversary celebration of the founding of his long-ruling Cambodian People's Party in the nation's capital, Phnom Penh. There is a long history of territorial disputes between the countries. Thailand is still rattled by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded Cambodia the disputed territory where the historic Preah Vihear temple stands. There were sporadic though serious clashes there in 2011. The ruling from the U.N. court was reaffirmed in 2013, when Yingluck was prime minister. Political fracture and investigations The scandal has broken Paetongtarn's fragile coalition government, costing her Pheu Thai Party the loss of its biggest partner, Bhumjaithai Party. Its departure left the 10-party coalition with 255 seats, just above the majority of the 500-seat house. Paetongtarn also faces other investigations that could lead to her removal from office. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sarote Phuengrampan, secretary-general of the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, said Wednesday that his agency is investigating Paetongtarn for a serious breach of ethics over the Hun Sen phone call. He did not give a possible timeline for a decision. Reports said the Constitutional Court could decide as early as next week whether it will take a petition requesting Paetongtarn's removal due to the phone call, enabling the court to suspend her from duty pending an investigation. The prime minister said Tuesday she is not worried and is ready to give evidence to support her case. 'It was clear from the phone call that I had nothing to gain from it, and I also didn't cause any damage to the country,' she said. The court last year removed her predecessor from Pheu Thai over a breach of ethics. Thailand's courts, especially the Constitutional Court, are considered a bulwark of the country's royalist establishment, which has used them and nominally independent state agencies such as the Election Commission to cripple or sink political opponents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
New Indian Express
9 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Protesters gather in Bangkok to demand PM Shinawatra's resignation over leaked phone call with Hun Sen
BANGKOK: Hundreds of protesters gathered in Thailand's capital on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, part of the brewing political turmoil set off by a leaked phone call with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Paetongtarn faces growing dissatisfaction over her handling of a recent border dispute with Cambodia involving an armed confrontation May 28. One Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested area. The recorded phone call with Hun Sen was at the heart of the demonstration Saturday and has set off a string of investigations in Thailand that could lead to Paetongtarn's removal. Outrage over the call mostly revolved around Paetongtarn telling Hun Sen, the current Cambodian Senate president, not to listen to 'an opponent' in Thailand. It's believed to be a reference to the regional Thai army commander in charge of the area where the clash happened, who publicly criticized Cambodia over the border dispute. Protesters held national flags and signs as they occupied parts of the streets around the Victory Monument in central Bangkok. At a huge stage set up at the monument, speakers expressed their love for Thailand following the intensified border dispute. Many of the leading figures in the protest were familiar faces from a group popularly known as Yellow Shirts, whose clothing color indicates loyalty to the Thai monarchy. They are longtime foes of Paetongtarn's father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who reportedly has a close relationship with Hun Sen. Yellow Shirts rallies turned violent and led to military coups in 2006 and 2014, which respectively ousted the elected governments of Thaksin and Paetongtarn's aunt, former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Hun Sen responds Hun Sen on Saturday vowed to protect his country's territory from foreign invaders and condemned what he called an attack by Thai forces last month. At a 74th anniversary celebration of the foundation of his long-ruling Cambodian People's Party, Hun Sen claimed the action by the Thai army was illegal when it engaged Cambodian forces. He said the skirmish inside Cambodian territory was a serious violation of country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, despite Cambodia's good will in attempting to resolve the border issue. 'This poor Cambodia has suffered from foreign invasion, war and genocide, been surrounded and isolated and insulted in the past, but now Cambodia has risen on an equal face with other countries. We need peace, friendship, cooperation and development the most and we have no politics and no unfriendly stance with any nation,' Hun Sen said in front of thousands of party members at the event in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh. There is a long history of territorial disputes between the countries. Thailand is still rattled by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded Cambodia the disputed territory where the historic Preah Vihear temple stands. There were sporadic though serious clashes there in 2011. The ruling from the U.N. court was reaffirmed in 2013, when Yingluck was prime minister. Political fracture and investigations The scandal has broken Paetongtarn's fragile coalition government, costing her Pheu Thai Party the loss of its biggest partner, Bhumjaithai Party. There already was a rift between Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai Party over reports Bhumjaithai would be shuffled out of the powerful Interior Ministry. Several Bhumjaithai leaders also are under investigation over an alleged rigging of last year's Senate election in which many figures who are reportedly close to the party claimed a majority of seats. The departure of Bhumjaithai left the 10-party coalition with 255 seats, just above the majority of the 500-seat house. Paetongtarn also faces investigations by the Constitutional Court and the national anti-corruption agency. Their decisions could lead to her removal from office. Sarote Phuengrampan, secretary-general of the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, said Wednesday that his agency is investigating Paetongtarn for a serious breach of ethics over the Hun Sen phone call. He did not give a possible timeline for a decision.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Thai protesters call for Prime Minister Paetongtarn's resignation
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Hundreds of protesters gathered in the Thai capital Bangkok on Saturday demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as her government faces rising anger over a border row with rally, the largest anti-government protest since her Pheu Thai party came to power in 2023, increases pressure on Paetongtarn, 38, who is battling to revive a faltering economy and keep a fragile government coalition together ahead of a potential no confidence vote next waved flags beside Victory Monument, a war memorial at a busy intersection, in a demonstration organised by the United Force of the Land, a coalition of largely nationalist activists who have rallied against other Shinawatra-backed governments over the last two the past protests did not directly cause the downfall of those governments, they built up pressure that led to judicial interventions and military coups in 2006 and political turmoil in Thailand threatens to further damage the country's struggling economic said on Saturday that she was not concerned about the protest and had instructed authorities to ensure the gathering was peaceful."It's within people's rights and I will not retaliate," she prime minister, who now controls a slim majority coalition following the exit of former partner Bhumjaithai Party last week, could face a no confidence vote when parliament reconvenes next Party last week withdrew its support for the government citing the risk of a loss of Thai sovereignty and integrity after a leaked phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodia's former premier Hun Sen During the call, Paetongtarn appeared to seek to appease the veteran Cambodian politician and criticised a Thai army commander, a red line in a country where the military has significant has apologised for her prime minister also faces judicial scrutiny after a group of senators petitioned the Constitutional Court and a national anti-graft body with a wide remit to investigate her conduct over the leaked phone from either bodies could lead to her removal. Hun Sen, a former ally of the Shinawatras, made an unprecedented public attack on Paetongtarn and her family in an hours-long televised speech on Friday, calling for a change in government in Thai foreign ministry described the speech as "extraordinary" while insisting that Thailand prefers to use diplomacy to resolve the escalating bilateral dispute.
