Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Paetongtarn Shinawatra

How Paetongtarn Shinawatra built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra is a Thai politician belonging to the prominent Shinawatra family. In 2023, she became the leader of the Pheu Thai Party. As of 2024, she serves as the 31st prime minister of Thailand. She is the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and niece of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. Nicknamed Ung Ing, Paetongtarn holds the distinction of being the youngest prime minister in Thailand's history and is the second woman to hold the position, after her aunt Yingluck.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2008: Graduation from Chulalongkorn University

In 2008, Paetongtarn obtained a BA degree in political science from the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, with a focus on sociology and anthropology.

March 2022: Election as "Head of the Pheu Thai Family"

At a meeting of the Pheu Thai Party on 20 March 2022, Paetongtarn was elected as "Head of the Pheu Thai Family".

April 2023: Nomination as Prime Minister-Candidate

In April 2023, Paetongtarn was officially nominated as one of the three prime minister-candidates of Pheu Thai Party for the general election, along with Srettha Thavisin and Chaikasem Nitisiri.

September 2023: Appointment as Deputy Chairperson of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee

On 13 September 2023, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered the establishment of the National Soft Power Strategy Committee and appointed Paetongtarn as the Deputy Chairperson.

October 2023: Election as Leader of the Pheu Thai Party

On 27 October 2023, Paetongtarn was elected by the PTP's core members to become the party's new leader, receiving 289 votes with one abstention.

2023: Paetongtarn supports LGBT rights and rewriting the constitution

In 2023, Paetongtarn demonstrated her socially liberal views by supporting LGBT rights and attending the Bangkok Pride Parade with Pita Limjaroenrat. She also supports rewriting the constitution and scrapping military conscription, while opposing amending Thailand's lèse-majesté laws.

2023: Paetongtarn calls herself a "socially liberal capitalist"

In a 2023 interview, Paetongtarn described herself as a "socially liberal capitalist", stating that her party and Srettha Thavisin want to focus on improving the economy. She supports "capitalism with empathy" along with gradually raising the minimum wage and implementing a ฿10,000 digital wallet scheme.

2023: Overseeing the Implementation of the Digital Wallet Scheme

Since 2023, Paetongtarn has overseen the implementation of the 10,000-baht Digital wallet scheme, the flagship economic policy of the Pheu Thai Party.

May 2024: Paetongtarn criticizes the Bank of Thailand

In May 2024, Paetongtarn stated that the independence of the Bank of Thailand (BoT) from the government is a problem and obstacle in fixing economic issues, referencing the 2.50% interest-rate. She criticized BoT monetary policy for refusing to understand and cooperate and for hampering efforts to reduce high levels of debt.

July 2024: Appointment to King Vajiralongkorn's Birthday Anniversary Committee

On 3 October, Srettha appointed Paetongtarn to two additional positions: Chairperson of the National Soft Power Development Committee and a member of the Committee for the Organization of Celebrations for King Vajiralongkorn's 72nd Birthday Anniversary on 28 July 2024.

August 2024: Nomination and Approval as Prime Minister

Following the removal of Srettha as prime minister, Paetongtarn was nominated by Pheu Thai to succeed him. Her nomination was approved by the House of Representatives on August 16, 2024, making her the youngest person and the second woman to become Prime Minister of Thailand. She was officially sworn in on August 18, 2024.

September 12, 2024: Policy Statement to Parliament

On September 12, 2024, Paetongtarn Shinawatra and the Cabinet presented their policy statement to Parliament, outlining ten priority policies for immediate implementation, including comprehensive debt restructuring, measures to support Thai entrepreneurs, reductions in energy and utility costs, and efforts to integrate the informal and underground economies into the tax system.

September 2024: Launch of the Digital Wallet Scheme's Phase 1

In September 2024, Phase 1 of the 10,000-baht Digital Wallet Scheme was launched, providing 10,000 baht in cash to approximately 14.5 million recipients, including state welfare cardholders and individuals with disabilities.

January 2025: Approval of the Entertainment Complex Bill

In January 2025, the Thai cabinet approved the Entertainment Complex Bill in principle, providing a legal framework for the proposed developments.

February 2025: Official Trip to China

During her first official trip to China from 5–8 February 2025, Paetongtarn emphasized strengthening Thailand-China ties in sectors like electric vehicles, semiconductors, and data centers. She met President Xi Jinping to discuss various issues and attend the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin.

February 2025: Suspension of Electricity, Internet, and Fuel Supplies to Myanmar Border Areas

In February 2025, Paethongtarn ordered the suspension of electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to five border areas in Myanmar as part of a multinational effort to dismantle transnational scams and human trafficking networks operating in the region.

March 2025: Presentation at the Ignite Thailand Forum

During numerous overseas roadshows and at major domestic events like the "Ignite Thailand" forum in March 2025, she has presented the project as a key opportunity for investment.

March 2025: No-confidence motion filed against Paetongtarn

In March 2025, a no-confidence motion was filed against Paetongtarn by Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, Leader of the Opposition, who accused her of failing to address multiple issues and serving her family's interests. The motion failed to pass on March 26, with Paetongtarn winning 319 votes.

April 2025: Implementation of Phase 2 of the Digital Wallet Scheme

Phase 2 of the Digital Wallet Scheme, implemented between January and April 2025, extended the cash transfers to an estimated 3 million senior citizens aged 60 and over.

May 2025: Postponement of the Digital Phase of the Digital Wallet Scheme

In May 2025, the government announced its decision to postpone the first truly "digital" phase of the Digital Wallet Scheme, citing a worsening global economic outlook and the need to reallocate the remaining 157-billion-baht budget to more urgent stimulus measures.

June 15, 2025: Private phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen

On June 15, 2025, Paetongtarn engaged in informal diplomacy with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, leading to a private phone call between the two leaders, leveraging her family's long-standing relationship to defuse tensions in the border area.

June 2025: Thailand Welcomes 15 Million International Visitors

As of early June 2025, Thailand had welcomed over 15 million international visitors for the year, showing a strong recovery.

June 2025: Leak of Paetongtarn's call with Hun Sen

In June 2025, an excerpt of a call between Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Hun Sen was leaked, leading Hun Sen to publish the entire 17-minute call on Facebook on June 18 "to avoid any misunderstanding or misrepresentation". Paetongtarn confirmed that it was her voice in the leaked call.

June 2025: Paetongtarn confirms authenticity of leaked recording

In June 2025, following the leak of her phone call with Hun Sen, Paetongtarn confirmed the recording's authenticity and defended her remarks as an off-the-record negotiation strategy. She accused Hun Sen of breaching diplomatic trust and implied the leak was orchestrated to boost his domestic popularity. She announced she would refrain from future private discussions due to trust issues.