While it’s too early to determine her political agenda, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand’s new prime minister, has a significant film industry legacy. And some family baggage to go with it.

Shinawatra was elected by parliament on Friday, just two days after a Constitutional Court ruling ousted her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin. Shinawatra is the country's youngest prime minister, the second female prime minister and the third from her family to hold the highest political office. Her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, were both elected and then ousted in military coups in 2006 and 2014 respectively.

The Pheu Thai Party, led by Shinawatra, came to power last year after the pro-democracy Move Forward party dominated the May 2023 general election. However, the establishment has blocked the party from leading a government. (The same Constitutional Court earlier this month banned Move Forward, banning its leaders from holding political office for 10 years.)

According to protocol, parliament's choice of prime minister is not final until it is approved by the king. Until then, Shinawatra says nothing about her policies or her cabinet of ministers. Her cabinet choices also require separate royal approval.