Thaksin's daughter becomes a "rising star" in Thai politics

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 Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the youngest daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, became a star at the Pheu Thai party conference ahead of the election.


All attention was on the 35-year-old woman, a new face in Thai politics, when Paetongtarn Shinawatra shared the stage with big names at the Pheu Thai party meeting on April 24.


Paetongtarn was evaluated as a potential candidate for Prime Minister of Thailand, when she presented a 5-point plan at the party conference. The plan is in line with the Pheu Thai party's goal of winning an "overwhelming victory" in Thailand's upcoming general election.


The plan includes encouraging citizens to participate in policy making, using artificial intelligence to improve agriculture, applying digitalisation, and technologies such as online platforms and cryptocurrencies.


Pheu Thai and other major political parties in Thailand have begun preparing for the polls as the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha grapples with internal rifts.


Political observers expect an election to be held after Thailand hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in November.


"On the day the government dissolves the National Assembly, we will be ready. I believe we can transform Thailand from a country of debt, misery and no future, into a nation full of opportunity and hope. hope," Paetongtarn announced before loyal Pheu Thai party members.


Last month, Paetongtarn was tasked with building unity within the party as the "head of the Pheu Thai family".


When asked about the prospect of Pheu Thai party achieving its goal of winning at least 250 out of 400 National Assembly seats in the election, Paetongtarn expressed confidence that voters will trust Pheu Thai.


"The Pheu Thai Party doesn't need to prove anything, because what it promised the people, the party did. So I don't see any challenges," Paetongtarn said.


Paetongtarn "launched" Thai politics at a meeting of the Pheu Thai party last October. Successive appointments within the party have fueled speculation that she could be chosen as a candidate for future Prime Minister of Thailand.


Earlier, Paetongtarn said she was "not ready" to be a prime ministerial candidate and that she wanted to focus on her advisory role.


Thaksin was prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006 before being ousted in a 2006 coup. He then went into exile abroad to avoid being convicted of corruption.


Three members of the Shinawatra family were prime ministers of Thailand, but Thaksin and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra were both ousted by military coups. Even in exile, the Shinawatra brothers are said to still have considerable influence on Thai politics through allies and relatives. After years of exile, Mr. Thaksin is believed to be seeking a return to politics.


Paethongtan said she still regularly meets with her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin. She has also met many foreign scientists and hopes to use her acquired knowledge to support party reform in the fields of education and technology, as well as promote soft power.

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