During the second day of the censure debate on Tuesday, March 25, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, came out swinging. She did this while staunchly contesting allegations that her leadership had failed. Allegations on social media, Thailand’s recently founded People’s Party attacked her for being overshadowed by her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. They claimed he was the real force pulling her administration’s strings.
Responding to these accusations, Paetongtarn rejected the idea that she is being puppet master by Thaksin. She emphasized that asking someone with Thaksin’s experience and global reputation for advice should not be painted in a bad light. She hinted that an outlier could tempt the People’s Party. This suggested the inclusion of Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, the charismatic leader of the now-dissolved Future Forward Party. The Future Forward Party is recognized as the predecessor of both the dissolved Move Forward Party and the current People’s Party.
Paetongtarn said that he had great admiration for Natthapong, seen as the chief opposition’s principal leader. She cautioned him, let’s not destroy your own value. Her remarks were praised as a savvy tactical move to use the national spotlight to assert her leadership and credibility during tough political headwinds.
The source of this controversy is the continuing discussion on Paetongtarn’s political leadership style and administrative independence. The accusations have raised the political tide. Many in the press and on the campaign trail have called into question her independence from her father’s sway. Even so, Paetongtarn insists that her leadership choices are independent. It’s not that she prizes Thaksin’s viewpoints for their own merit.
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