Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra sails through no-confidence vote in parliament

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra smoothly passed a no-confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday, marking the initial challenge of her premiership, and came through the two-day opposition attack unscathed, reinforcing the stability of her coalition.

Thailand’s youngest prime minister secured support from 319 out of 488 lawmakers in attendance, despite facing numerous criticisms during a censure debate that labeled her as unqualified, lacking economic expertise, avoiding taxes, catering to her affluent family, and following orders from her billionaire father and influential politician Thaksin Shinawatra.

The censure motion served as an initial evaluation of Paetongtarn’s mandate over seven months after she was unexpectedly brought into the limelight as a political novice with no prior public office experience, succeeding ally Srettha Thavisin following his court removal for an ethics violation.

She dismissed all the accusations made against her.

Although her opinion poll ratings are lukewarm and economic growth lags behind regional counterparts, Wednesday’s election demonstrated that Paetongtarn’s coalition of 11 parties is still strong, reducing the likelihood of immediate instability in a nation that has experienced two decades of sporadic political unrest.

“Every vote, both support and against, will be the strength for me and the cabinet to continue our work for the people,” 38-year-old Paetongtarn posted on X social media, thanking her ruling alliance for its support.

Since 2006, various administrations led by the Pheu Thai Party and its predecessors, all tied to Thaksin, have been ousted by judicial actions or military coups, highlighting the entrenched hostility between the divisive tycoon and influential conservatives who dominate Thailand’s major institutions.

The opposition People’s Party, the largest faction in parliament, focused many of its criticisms on Paetongtarn’s strong ties to her father, a former prime minister who is barred from office due to a conviction for conflicts of interest and abuse of power that led to his 15-year self-exile.

Thaksin, a previous owner of English football powerhouse Manchester City, has significantly influenced Thai politics for 24 years and made his return in 2023. He was held in a hospital detention for six months under a Pheu Thai-led government, before being granted parole and announcing his retirement from politics.

Since then, he has frequently and candidly discussed government policy, but he has consistently stated that he only provides his daughter with advice.

Paetongtarn, the fourth individual from the Shinawatra family to assume the leading position, asserted during the debate that she was dedicating herself fully to the nation and ought to be evaluated based on her accomplishments rather than her familial connections.