theo bloombergMs Patongtarn – also known as Eng – was elected with the new executive board of the Pheu Thai (For Thailand) party in a vote held in Bangkok on October 27.
The above vote is necessary after Mr. Cholanan Srikaew stepped down from the leadership position of Phu Thai at the end of August. He is currently the Minister of Health in the administration of Prime Minister Seretha Thawisin.
Observers say Ms Patongtarn’s election as the new leader of Phu Thai will consolidate the power of the Shinawatra family after a general election in May 2023.
Ms Patongtarn (37 years old) is the youngest daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Photo: Reuters
As the youngest of Mr Thaksin’s three children, Ms Patongtarn (37 years old) is the newest member of the Shinawatra family to actively participate in political activities.
Ms Peotongtarn plays a key role in Phu Thai’s 2023 election campaign, especially in Thailand’s northern and northeastern regions.
Ms. Patongtaron is one of Phu Thai’s three prime ministerial candidates and is currently vice chair of the government’s Soft Power Strategy Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Sritha.
In the past, parties backed by the Shinawatra family have dominated elections. However, they often lose power due to military coups or court rulings.
Mr Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra were overthrown in military coups in 2006 and 2014 respectively. Photo: Facebook
Mr Thaksin and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra – both former prime ministers – were overthrown in military coups in 2006 and 2014 respectively.
After 15 years in exile, Mr. Thaksin returned to Thailand in August, when the Pheu Thai Party became the head of the 11-party ruling coalition.
Although Mr. Thaksin was sentenced to eight years in prison soon after his return on corruption charges, King Maha Vajiralongkorn reduced his prison term to just one year.
At present he is undergoing treatment for several diseases in the hospital and has not returned to jail.
