Thailand has a new and young prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who has inherited a struggling economy and faces challenges from a divided country and her family’s political legacy. Paetongtarn, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and niece of Yingluck Shinawatra, is the second female prime minister of Thailand and has the strong support of her party and coalition partners.
Her focus will be on continuing the economic policies of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, including economic stimulus, healthcare reform, and gender diversity initiatives. The economy is a major concern for Thai voters, with a high public debt and underperformance compared to neighboring countries. Paetongtarn has also pledged not to appoint her father to a government position but will seek his advice.
The Shinawatra family’s populist party, Pheu Thai, suffered a defeat in the last election, and the new prime minister will have to navigate the challenges posed by the opposition, including the newly created People’s Party. Despite the political turmoil that has plagued Thailand for the past two decades, Paetongtarn’s government is expected to try to appease the military and the royalists to maintain stability.
With the country divided between different political factions, Paetongtarn’s leadership will be crucial in addressing the economic challenges and maintaining stability in Thailand. As the youngest prime minister in the country’s history, she will need to navigate complex political dynamics while delivering on promises to improve the economy and promote social reforms.
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