Thailand PM candidate gives birth two weeks before the poll
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A leading candidate in the race to become Thailand's next prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has given birth to a baby boy only two weeks before election day. She has been campaigning until recently despite being heavily pregnant.
She announced the good news via Instagram and said she will speak with the media in a few days. "Hello. My name is Phrithasin Suksawat. My nickname is ''Thasin''..Thank you for all your support. In a few days, the mother is waiting to be strong before going to meet the media brothers," said the caption. Thasin is her second child.
According to a report in Al Jazeera, the 36-year-old has been the voters' first or second choice for prime minister due to her party's popularity and her family's recognition in the country. She is the youngest daughter of billionaire and former prime minister Thaksin.
Her father was ousted from power in 2006 by a military coup over corruption-related cases. He went into self-imposed exile due to a potential prison sentence. He tweeted that he is delighted about the birth of his grandson, his seventh grandchild. "All of my seven grandchildren were born while I had to stay abroad. I may ask for permission to return to take care of my grandchildren since I am almost 74 years old this coming July," he wrote.
Her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, has also served as prime minister and was ousted from power in 2014. She also lives in self-imposed exile to avoid prison.
Rural voters in the north and northeast regions of Thailand have been consistently supporting the Shinawatras despite the controversies and allegations. Parties associated with the family have won the most seats in every election since 2001. Paetongtarn is expected to win the most seats in the 500-member lower house.
Paetongtarn is one of three prime ministerial candidates selected by the Pheu Thai party. However, the country has 250 unelected, military-appointed senators who will play a role in selecting the prime minister. She has also struggled to get the votes of youngsters who find Move Forward, a progressive party, appealing because it has addressed topics like reform of the military. Its leader Pita Limjaroenrat has also performed top of preferred leader polls.