Thailand’s Prime Minister Overcomes No-Confidence Vote Amid Accusations of Mismanagement
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra survived a no-confidence vote in Parliament on Wednesday following a two-day debate in which opponents accused her of mismanagement and alleged undue influence from her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Opposition lawmakers argued that Paetongtarn has allowed her father, a polarizing political figure, to exert control over her administration. Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup and lived in exile before recently returning to Thailand, remains a deeply divisive figure in the country’s political landscape. Critics claimed that Paetongtarn’s government has improperly prioritized the financial and personal interests of her family while failing to address Thailand’s economic downturn, air pollution, crime, and corruption. Allegations of tax evasion were also raised.
Despite these accusations, Paetongtarn secured 319 votes in her favor, with 161 voting against her and seven abstaining. This marked the first no-confidence vote she has faced since taking office last year, following the removal of a previous Pheu Thai prime minister by the Constitutional Court for ethical violations.
Following the vote, Paetongtarn expressed gratitude on social media, stating, “Every vote, whether in support or in opposition, is a force that will drive me and the Cabinet to continue to devoutly work for the people.”
Paetongtarn leads the Pheu Thai Party, the latest iteration of a series of populist movements associated with her father. Thaksin has been a central figure in nearly two decades of political turmoil, with his support base largely consisting of a rural, working-class majority. His opponents, including the military, royalists, and urban elites, have long accused him of undermining their influence and threatening the status of the monarchy.
Comments