Thailand’s Pheu Thai party has nominated Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 37-year-old daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as its candidate for the country’s next prime minister. This announcement comes just a day after the Constitutional Court dismissed the current Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin for an ethics violation. Paetongtarn’s nomination follows Pheu Thai’s strategy of appealing to younger voters while maintaining its leadership within the coalition government. Lawmakers will vote on her candidacy in parliament on Friday.
The court’s decision to remove Srettha has thrown Thailand into further political uncertainty. Pheu Thai, historically linked to Thaksin Shinawatra, leads a governing coalition of 11 parties, including former rivals from royalist and pro-military groups. Paetongtarn’s selection marks a significant moment as Thailand navigates its ongoing political challenges, dominated by tensions between progressive movements and the traditional military-royalist establishment.
