Pei Tongtan, a member of the Prime Minister and the Shinawatra family, recently returned to China and revealed during her visit that she has Chinese ancestry, assuring Chinese friends that Thailand is very safe for Chinese people.
This news has sparked interest in her family background, especially the history of the Shinawatra family.
The Shinawatra family holds a significant position in Thai politics, and Pei Tongtan, as a member of this family, was elected as the Prime Minister of Thailand at the age of 38, becoming the second female Prime Minister in the country's history and the youngest ever.
Her father is former Prime Minister Thaksin, her aunt is former Prime Minister Yingluck, and other important family members include her uncle Songchai. Both her family background and her personal political achievements make the Shinawatra family extraordinary.
Family History and Background
The roots of the Shinawatra family can be traced back to Fengshun County, Meizhou City, Guangdong, China. The family originally surnamed Qiu, migrated to Chiang Mai, Thailand from China during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty to seek a livelihood, later engaging in businesses such as silk, gradually accumulating wealth. Due to political reasons at the time, many Chinese changed their surnames to Thai, and the pronunciation of "Qiu" in Thai is "Shinawatra," thus the Qiu family became the Shinawatra family.
The term Shinawatra in Thai means "doing good deeds in an orderly manner," reflecting the family's philosophy and values. By the mid-20th century, the Shinawatra family had established a profound influence in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The business success of family members paved their way into politics.
The Family's Political Journey
As the family's wealth grew, the Shinawatra family gradually emerged in the Thai political arena. Thaksin's father, Qiu Achang, pushed Thaksin into parliament, serving as a secretary, officially starting his political career. With his business acumen and leadership skills, Thaksin was elected Prime Minister of Thailand in 2001, marking the beginning of the Shinawatra family's political glory.
Under Thaksin's leadership, the influence of the Shinawatra family continued to expand, and within just over two decades, four prime ministers were born from the family, including Thaksin himself, Songchai Wongsawat (Thaksin's brother-in-law), Yingluck Shinawatra (Thaksin's sister), and Pei Tongtan, inheriting the family's political lineage.
The Shinawatra Family's Political Challenges and Responses
However, the political path of the Shinawatra family was not smooth sailing. In 2006, the military overthrew Thaksin's government through a military coup, and subsequently, Thaksin went into exile. Despite this, the Shinawatra family was not defeated but continued to participate in Thai politics by reorganizing their forces.
Although the Thai Rak Thai Party and the People's Power Party were dissolved, family members still maintain significant influence in the Pheu Thai Party.
The success of the Shinawatra family relies not only on individual capabilities and economic support from the family but also on their adept use of political strategies. Even when faced with suppression, they can flexibly respond, quickly reorganize forces, and continue to influence Thai politics.
Factors of Success for the Shinawatra Family
Public Base
Thaksin's pro-people policies during his tenure as Prime Minister have won the Shinawatra family broad support among Thailand's grassroots. The family has always been committed to improving rural livelihoods and maintaining close ties with the public by focusing on poverty issues and farmers' rights.
Economic Strength
The Shinawatra family holds an important position in Thailand's business community, especially in the telecommunications, hotel, and real estate industries. A strong economic foundation allows them to invest more resources in elections and social welfare, further enhancing the family's political influence.
Family Unity
The close cooperation and support among family members help them maintain a firm foothold in Thai politics. Whether in political decision-making or economic support, family members support each other, forming a strong cohesion.
Political Strategy
The Shinawatra family is adept at handling political crises, able to flexibly adjust strategies, use media and public opinion to expand influence, and counter attacks from conservative forces. In critical moments, they can quickly adjust their lineup to ensure continued competitiveness in the political arena.
Chinese Background
The Chinese identity of the Shinawatra family provides them with a unique cultural identity and political support. The Chinese community in Thailand accounts for about 12-14% of the population and has a profound influence in business and finance. The close connection between the Shinawatra family and the Chinese community has also won them widespread support.
With its strong economic strength, deep public base, and flexible political strategies, the Shinawatra family occupies an important position in Thai politics. Despite facing multiple political challenges, they have always been able to maintain competitiveness in fluctuating situations, ultimately stabilizing their hold on power. Pei Tongtan, as a member of this family, will continue to play a significant role in Thai politics. Her success is not only a victory for the Shinawatra family but also a manifestation of the influence of the Chinese in Thai political and social life.
