319 out of 488 Thai parliamentarians supported Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of former Premier Thaksin.
Despite opposition parties accusing her of being a puppet of her father, millionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has survived a no-confidence vote in parliament.
MPs rejected the no-confidence resolution by 319 votes to 162 on Wednesday, with seven abstentions, following a two-day debate during which the opposition criticized 38-year-old Paetongtarn’s handling of the economy and national security as well as her inexperience.
After winning the vote, Paetongtarn praised her supporters.
She stated on Facebook that “all votes, for and against, will be a force driving me and the cabinet to carry on working hard for the people.”
Paetongtarn is at a disadvantage because of the motion. At just 38.55 percent, the public has little faith in her coalition government’s capacity to address the country’s issues.
The most significant and contentious politician in contemporary Thai history was her father, Thaksin. 15 years of self-exile ended in 2023 when he returned to the kingdom.
According to rumors of a backdoor arrangement to treat him leniently, Thaksin was pardoned by the monarch after serving a few months of an eight-year jail term for historic corruption and abuse of power charges in a police hospital.According to rumors of a backdoor arrangement to treat him leniently, Thaksin was pardoned by the monarch after serving a few months of an eight-year jail term for historic corruption and abuse of power charges in a police hospital.
The 75-year-old is still well-liked by the millions of impoverished Thais who benefited from his rule from 2001 to 2006, but the conservative elite in the nation despises him because they believe he is dishonest and cunning.
After President Srettha Thavisin was removed by a court order last year, Paetongtarn took over as prime minister and led a coalition administration formed by the Pheu Thai Party, the most recent iteration of the Thaksin-founded political organization.
In addition to becoming Thailand’s youngest leader, Paetongtarn is the country’s second female prime minister, following her aunt, who was overthrown in a 2014 coup.v
Thaksin’s shadow looms largeThaksin’s shadow looms large.
Rangsiman Rome, a vocal member of the main opposition People’s Party, charged Paetongtarn with arranging preferential treatment for her father during the censure debate.
In parliament, he declared, “You made a deal, a demon deal, to get your father better conditions than other prisoners.”Rangsiman Rome, a vocal member of the main opposition People’s Party, charged Paetongtarn with arranging preferential treatment for her father during the censure debate.
In parliament, he declared, “You made a deal, a demon deal, to get your father better conditions than other prisoners.”
“The requirement was that your father would not spend a day in jail.”
Paetongtarn refuted the claim, stating that she was appointed prime minister a few months following her father’s royal pardon.
Since then, Thaksin has publicly discussed government policy, but he has consistently stated that he solely gives counsel to his daughter.
Additionally, opposition MPs charged Paetongtarn with tax evasion and poor management of the 40 Uighurs who were deported to China late last month.
The United States banned several Thai officials from obtaining visas as a result of the international outcry over the Uighurs’ return.
