Fact Check: Paetongtarn Shinawatra is Thailand's youngest prime minister.

Fact Check: Paetongtarn Shinawatra is Thailand's youngest prime minister

What We Know

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, born on August 21, 1986, is a prominent Thai politician who was appointed as the 31st prime minister of Thailand in August 2024. She is notably the youngest person to hold this office in Thailand's history, taking over the role after the removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, by the Constitutional Court (Wikipedia, AP News). Her appointment marked her as the second woman to serve as prime minister, following her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, who held the position from 2011 to 2014 (Wikipedia).

Analysis

The claim that Paetongtarn Shinawatra is Thailand's youngest prime minister is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. According to the Wikipedia entry on Paetongtarn, she officially became prime minister on August 18, 2024, at the age of 37. This fact is corroborated by other reputable news outlets, including the New York Times and AP News, which confirm her age at the time of taking office and highlight her familial connections to previous Thai prime ministers, including her father, Thaksin Shinawatra.

The significance of her age is underscored by the context of Thai politics, where leadership positions have historically been held by older, more established figures. The sources consulted are credible, with Wikipedia providing a comprehensive overview of her background and political career, while news articles from AP and the New York Times offer timely reporting on her premiership and the political landscape in Thailand.

Conclusion

The claim that "Paetongtarn Shinawatra is Thailand's youngest prime minister" is True. She indeed became the youngest individual to assume the role of prime minister in Thailand's history at the age of 37, as confirmed by multiple reliable sources.

Sources

1. Paetongtarn Shinawatra - Wikipedia
2. Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended …
3. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suspended Amid …
4. Paetongtarn Shinawatra – Wikipedia
5. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand's prime minister, under siege
6. Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes Thai prime minister after royal …
7. Thai PM Paetongtarn faces calls to quit after leaked phone call
8. Paetongtarn Shinawatra | Biography & Facts | Britannica