Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her gratitude

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra expressed her gratitude to supporters after successfully defeating a no-confidence motion in parliament. Opposition lawmakers alleged that she was unduly influenced by her father, Thaksin Shinawatra.


On Wednesday, Prime Minister Paetongtarn emerged victorious in the no-confidence vote, reinforcing the strength of her coalition in parliament. She took to Facebook to thank her backers, stating, "Every vote, whether in favor or against, fuels my commitment and that of the cabinet to work diligently for the people." The censure debate spanned two days, during which opposition members criticized Paetongtarn's perceived inexperience and leadership style.

Ultimately, the no-confidence motion was defeated with a vote count of 319 for dismissal and 162 against, with seven abstentions. Background of the No-Confidence Vote: At 38, Paetongtarn is the youngest prime minister in Thai history and has faced accusations from opposition parties of being under her father's control. Thaksin, 75, a popular yet controversial political figure in Thailand, was overthrown in a 2006 coup amid allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
After spending fifteen years in exile, he returned to Thailand in 2023 and was arrested but served only a few months of an eight-year sentence in a police hospital before being pardoned by the king in August 2024. During the parliamentary debate, opposition lawmaker Rangsiman Rome accused Paetongtarn of arranging preferential treatment for her father, alleging that she made a "demon deal" to ensure he wouldn't serve time in prison. Paetongtarn rejected these claims, asserting that she assumed office months after her father's pardon.

Additionally, she faced accusations of tax evasion and a controversial decision regarding the recent repatriation of Uyghurs to China. The Shinawatra Legacy: The Shinawatra family has long had a significant influence in Thailand's political and economic spheres, often clashing with the political establishment and the royalist military. Paetongtarn is the third member of her family to become prime minister; her father, Thaksin, and her aunt, Yingluck, both lost power through military coups. Known affectionately as "Ung Ing," Paetongtarn previously managed the hotel division of the family's business empire before entering politics a few years back. She enhanced her public profile and maintained an active campaign presence during the 2023 elections, eventually being selected as the leader by the weakened Pheu Thai party and its coalition partners following the removal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
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