Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been nicknamed “Paetongphoey” by Government House reporters, as part of their tradition of assigning monikers to senior officials at the year’s end. The nickname combines the first two syllables of her name with the Thai word “phoey,” meaning “script,” referencing her reliance on prepared speeches during significant events.
When asked about the nickname, the 38 year old Thai PM showed no signs of distress. She playfully remarked that “Paetongpad” might have been a more fitting moniker, as she often reads her scripts from an iPad.
The press also labelled her administration as “the dad-backed government,” highlighting the influential role of her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, in her government. Additionally, her comments about her husband’s southern roots were deemed the quote of the year by Government House reporters. These remarks came after she faced public criticism for overseeing flood clean-up efforts in the north, rather than visiting the flood-stricken south at the peak of the crisis.
In response to the criticism, the prime minister explained that her husband is from the south, implying that he would ensure she does not overlook the region’s challenges. She expressed her desire to personally inspect the affected areas but cited the widespread nature and timing of the disasters as reasons for delegating responsibilities to lawmakers and Cabinet members.
“I feel like I just have to take a step back from anything that makes me feel bad because hating someone is tiresome.”
When questioned about her objectives for the coming year, following the feedback from the press, Paetongtarn revealed her intention to focus on chronic social issues affecting the country. She also committed to accelerating the nation’s economic recovery, reported Bangkok Post.
In related news, PM Paetongtarn’s decision to skip the opening of the new House of Representatives session on December 12 sparked a contentious debate between the opposition and the ruling Pheu Thai Party.
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