The daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn led the Pheu Thai party to a second-place finish in the 2023 election. Despite her lack of administrative experience, she now faces the challenge of leading a government coalition that includes military-backed parties.
Paetongtarn's rise comes amid Thailand's ongoing political divide between populist forces and the conservative-royalist establishment. Her father and aunt's governments were previously ousted by military coups, highlighting the persistent tensions in Thai politics.
As she steps into this high-pressure role, Paetongtarn is expected to rely heavily on her father's guidance. Her leadership will be closely scrutinized as she attempts to navigate the complex political landscape and push forward with her party's agenda to improve people's livelihoods.
