Thai PM Paetongtarn comfortably survives no-confidence vote in parliament

BANGKOK, March 26 — Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra comfortably survived a no-confidence vote in parliament today, emerging unscathed from a two-day opposition challenge and reinforcing the stability of her ruling coalition.

Paetongtarn secured the support of 319 out of 488 lawmakers present, despite facing fierce criticism during the censure debate. Opponents accused her of lacking experience, having insufficient economic knowledge, evading taxes, and being influenced by her father, former prime minister and political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra.

The vote was an early test of Paetongtarn’s leadership, coming just over seven months after she unexpectedly rose to power, replacing ally Srettha Thavisin, who was removed by the courts over an ethics violation.

At 38, Paetongtarn is the fourth member of the Shinawatra family to hold the country’s top office. She dismissed the allegations against her, emphasizing that her leadership should be judged on her performance rather than her family background.

Despite lukewarm approval ratings and sluggish economic growth compared to regional peers, today’s vote suggests her coalition remains stable, reducing the risk of immediate political upheaval in a country often marked by political turbulence.

Governments led by Pheu Thai and its predecessors, all linked to Thaksin, have historically been removed through military coups or court rulings, highlighting the long-standing tension between the influential billionaire and conservative power structures.

Paetongtarn has maintained that her government operates independently, while Thaksin insists he has retired and only provides occasional advice. — Reuters