Paetongtarn Shinawatra has officially become Thailand’s new prime minister, following the king’s endorsement and a parliamentary vote, two days after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, resigned. At 37, she is the youngest prime minister in Thailand’s history and continues the influential Shinawatra political dynasty. She is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the niece of Thailand’s first female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra.
Nominated by the Pheu Thai Party, Shinawatra secured 319 votes in the House of Representatives. In her first press conference, she pledged to continue her predecessor’s policies and will outline her administration’s strategies to parliament in September.
Navigating The Casino Legalization Debate
A major challenge for Shinawatra is the Entertainment Complex Bill, which proposes legalizing casinos in Thailand. The bill includes forming a “Policy Committee” to manage casino licenses and tax rates. The bill’s success will depend on how Shinawatra and her cabinet address it.
While her leadership provides stability and reassures investors, the bill faces internal criticism. Bhumjaithai Party’s Chaichanok Chidchob has raised concerns about potential negative impacts. Shinawatra’s influence, along with her father Thaksin’s, may be key to advancing major projects like a casino complex in Bangkok despite these disagreements.
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