BANGKOK — Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressed questions about the upcoming no-confidence debate scheduled for March, which unusually targets her alone rather than multiple cabinet ministers. Speaking before her March 4-8 trip to Germany, she welcomed the opportunity to explain her position directly to the public.
“This is a good opportunity to clarify legal matters and help people understand the reality of having Thailand’s first Generation Y prime minister,” Paetongtarn stated. “This will lead to better mutual understanding.”
When questioned about opposition claims and a NIDA poll suggesting she lacks leadership qualities, the Prime Minister responded that she would let the public judge her performance. “I don’t want to point fingers at anyone. I have my own leadership style,” the 38-year-old Prime Minister explained.
“Those who criticize others should first demonstrate their own leadership capabilities,” she added. “I’m committed to presenting factual information to the public. I listen to all poll results as they reflect opinions from certain groups of citizens, and all ministries should use public feedback for improvement.”
The no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Paetongtarn includes six key issues. Beyond criticisms of her leadership and allegations of corruption, a major accusation is that she acts as a puppet prime minister, willingly allowing her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, to be the real decision-maker.
This motion has sparked strong opposition from government parties, particularly Pheu Thai Party members, who argue that the opposition has no right to debate individuals who cannot respond in parliament. However, the People’s Party claims they cannot avoid mentioning Thaksin as he is allegedly interfering with government administration.
On February 28, the Election Commission rejected a petition from anti-Thaksin activists requesting an investigation into whether Thaksin controls the Pheu Thai Party. The Commission found insufficient evidence that Thaksin and Pheu Thai violated laws that would warrant dissolving the party.
Thaksin is widely perceived as wielding influence in Paetongtarn’s government, from meeting with prominent politicians and business leaders to speaking at institutional and media events. He often describes himself as “S.T.R.” or “someone who meddles in everything,” but denies controlling the Prime Minister, claiming instead that she utilizes his expertise.
On February 27, Thaksin attended a meeting with the Prime Minister’s advisory team at Phitsanulok House, one of the administration’s meeting venues. Prime Minister Paetongtarn explained that her father discussed policy matters with advisors and assessed the global economic outlook under Donald Trump’s U.S. presidency.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn leads a diverse cabinet of 35 ministers, including four fellow Generation Y members, with the remainder comprising Generation X and Baby Boomer representatives. Despite legislative tensions between the Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai parties over constitutional reforms, the executive branch has operated without apparent internal conflicts during her first five months in office.
As Thailand’s second female prime minister and the youngest in the nation’s political history, Paetongtarn enjoys strong support among followers of her father. However, she faces significant opposition from those who oppose Thaksin’s political legacy, including critics from older generations and younger supporters of the People’s Party.
This opposition has manifested in particularly harsh social media attacks targeting her personality, clothing choices, and family. These attacks prompted former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to defend her by reminding critics that “the Prime Minister has a heart too.”
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