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New PM in Thailand amidst continued suppression of political dissent
The largest party in the country’s parliament, the Move Forward Party, was forced to disband and its leaders were banned from politics for 10 years for demanding reforms in a law which makes criticism of the monarchy in any form a punishable offence, writes ABDUL RAHMAN
Thailand's new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra talks to media members after receiving a royal letter of endorsement for the post at the Pheu Thai party headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024

PAETONGTARN SHINAWATRA became the 31st prime minister of Thailand on Sunday August 18, two days after the country’s parliament elected her, marking yet another change in the government strongly influenced by the country’s military and royalists.

At 37, she is the youngest prime minister, second woman to hold the post, and third from her family, after her father Thaksin Shinawatra (2001-06) and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra (2011-14). Both her father and aunt were removed from power by the military and the constitutional court and went to live in exile.

Paetongtarn’s acceptance of the post of the prime minister was backed by almost all members of the royalists and pro-military members of the parliament which could indicate some arrangement between the Pheu Thai, her party, and the military-royalists in the country.

Ban on Move Forward Party 

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