“I believe that good things come with children,” she said, sitting next to her husband, Pidok Sooksawas. “I believe that children are my secret strength to work and lead everyday life.”
The newborn, Prutthasin Sooksawas, was brought right into a room in an incubator on wheels and briefly shown to the media before being carried out again.
He resides abroad to avoid a jail sentence for abuse of power, which he has condemned as politically motivated.
Paetongtarn downplayed the importance of the news, saying it was only a natural expression from a grandfather who’s “very comfortable and excited.”
Thaksin is a preferred but divisive figure in Thai politics and there have been concerns that his return could possibly be destabilizing.
“Of course what he said will have a political effect,” she said. “But as a family, I believe there is nothing wrong with hope, especially when something good happens in the family.”
Paetongtarn campaigned throughout her pregnancy. She and the Pheu Thai Party consistently top the polls as Thailand’s favorite candidate for prime minister and the subsequent government. On Wednesday, she took the chance to emphasise that she was 100% confident of a landslide victory.
“I would really like to ask Thai people to stay unchanged because this vote isn’t any different from every other,” she said. “Thailand can no longer simply hope for the best. Thailand needs change and the best answer for Thai people right now is the Pheu Thai Party.”
Analysts have praised Paetongtarn for her confident public appearances, although her father’s residual popularity stays a consider her popularity, particularly amongst lower-class Thais. Thaksin, a populist billionaire, has defended poor people throughout his years in power and profited during elections.
Even if the Pheu Thai Party wins big within the May 14 general election, there isn’t a guarantee that Paetongtarn will develop into prime minister. The highest position is elected by a vote involving each houses of parliament.
This also applies to the Senate, which was appointed by the junta led by current Prime Minister and candidate Prayuth Chan-ocha, not by the people. Prayuth won all senators’ votes after the 2019 elections.
