Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the leading candidate in Thailand's upcoming national elections, gave birth to a son just two weeks before the polls open. The Shinawatra family, one of the wealthiest in Thailand, dominates the largest opposition Pheu Thai party, and has previously been associated with political turbulence in the country. Paetongtarn's father and aunt have both served as prime minister, but were ousted from power due to military influence. Paetongtarn's son, named Pluenkthasinsuksawat, was born just two weeks before the general election, which is being framed as a showdown between her and incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, head of a pro-military conservative grouping. Prayut seized power from Paetongtarn's family in 2014 after her aunt, Yingluck, was removed from power in a controversial court ruling.
Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin, was also ousted from power in 2006 and accused of corruption, forcing him into self-imposed exile. In a tweet, Thaksin expressed his delight at the birth of his seventh grandchild, and hinted at a desire to return to Thailand to take care of them.
The election in May will be Thailand's first since mass pro-democracy protests in 2020, which called for curbing the powers of both the monarchy and the military. Paetongtarn's popularity is growing, according to a pre-election opinion poll conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), which showed strong support for her. However, the Shinawatra family faces a greater obstacle than just winning the most votes from the public. Political parties allied to Thaksin have won the most seats in every election since 2001, yet have struggled to hold on to power due to military influence. This year's election will see 52 million eligible voters elect 500 members to the lower house in Thailand's bicameral system. Nevertheless, the 250-seat senate, which is stacked with allies of the military establishment, is also able to influence who becomes the next prime minister, under a constitution drafted by the military following the last coup.