Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Thailand on Thursday for a two-day official visit. During his visit, he addressed a joint press conference with Thailand’s Prime Minister, Piatongtarn Shinawatra who at 38 is the world’s youngest serving Prime Minister. Let’s explore who this world’ youngest PM is who is making headlines after her meeting with Indian PM.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra is a Thai politician who has been serving as the 31st prime minister of Thailand since August 16, 2024, and as the leader of the Pheu Thai Party since October 2023. She is the youngest child of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the niece of former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra. At 37, Paetongtarn became Thailand’s youngest prime minister and the second woman to hold the position, following her aunt Yingluck.
s a prominent Thai politician and businesswoman. She holds significant influence in the corporate sector as the largest shareholder of SC Asset Corporation and serves as a director of the Thaicom Foundation. As of 2022, she maintained holdings in 21 companies with an estimated total value of approximately 68 billion baht (around US$2 billion). Khaosod English
Paetongtarn’s formal political journey began on October 28, 2021, when she was appointed chair of Pheu Thai’s Advisory Committee on Participation and Innovation. Subsequently, on March 20, 2022, she was introduced as the leader of the “Pheu Thai Family” campaign, a strategic initiative aimed at fostering party unity and expanding its support base. Sin Chew Daily+1nationthailand+1Encyclopedia Britannica
In April 2023, Paetongtarn was officially nominated as one of the Pheu Thai Party’s three prime ministerial candidates for the general election, alongside Srettha Thavisin and Chaikasem Nitisiri. Following the election, she continued to ascend within the party ranks and was appointed as the party leader on October 27, 2023. Her leadership culminated in her election as Thailand’s 31st prime minister on August 16, 2024
PM Modi began by expressing condolences for the lives lost in the recent earthquake on March 28. He then highlighted the deep-rooted cultural and spiritual connections between India and Thailand, emphasizing that the spread of Buddhism has historically linked both nations. He noted that the Ramayana, known as Ramakien in Thailand, plays a significant role in Thai cultural life.
Upon his arrival in Bangkok, PM Modi was welcomed by the Indian community at the airport. Later, he attended a performance of the Thai Ramayana.
He also held a bilateral meeting with Thailand’s PM, Piatongtarn Shinawatra,