Wearing Uniform and Making 'Finger Heart' Deemed 'Constitution Violation'... Thailand's 38-Year-Old Prime Minister Faces 'Crisis'

Pro-Military Figure Claims "Prime Minister Position Damages Public Trust"

Paetongtarn Chinnawath (37), Thailand's youngest female prime minister who took office last month, has faced a barrage of opposition attacks since the early days of her tenure, with claims even arising that her making a 'finger heart' gesture while wearing a civil servant uniform violates the constitution.

Thai Prime Minister Chinnawat Pattomtan is making a 'finger heart' gesture.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

According to reports from Bloomberg and the Bangkok Post on the 11th, multiple investigation requests targeting Prime Minister Paetongtarn and the ruling Pheu Thai Party have been submitted to the Election Commission and the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Yonhap News reported the same day. These included demands for Paetongtarn's dismissal for allegedly violating constitutional ethical regulations, as well as claims that former Prime Minister Thaksin's influence over the Pheu Thai Party constitutes grounds for party dissolution.

In particular, one request called for an investigation into Paetongtarn's making a 'finger heart' gesture while wearing a civil servant uniform, arguing that it violates the constitution. Luangkhrai Linakwatana, a former senator from the pro-military Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), took issue with Paetongtarn forming a finger heart shape while taking a group photo with newly appointed ministers and deputy ministers at the government office on the 7th. He claimed, "Wearing the uniform and making the 'finger heart' pose is inappropriate, and such behavior could negatively affect public trust in the prime minister," and requested an investigation by the NACC.

Thai netizens showed mixed reactions to this incident, but according to the Bangkok Post, very few viewed it as an ethical violation. However, Luangkhrai, who has a history of repeatedly raising legal issues targeting opposition politicians, is known to have triggered cases where prime ministers resigned or parties were dissolved. He has also filed a petition for the dissolution of the Pheu Thai Party on the grounds that it is controlled by Paetongtarn's father and former prime minister Thaksin.

Stithorn Thananithichot, Director of the Democracy Innovation Office at the Prajadipok Institute, told Bloomberg, "The number of dismissal petitions is excessive and is not about checks and balances but about retaliation." He added, "Paetongtarn does not need to worry at this stage, but we need to watch whether the situation will take a turn for the worse."

Regarding the various legal issues, Paetongtarn said, "I will do my best to respond," and added, "Please do not raise too many legal issues and have some sympathy."

Meanwhile, Paetongtarn Chinnawath became the 31st Prime Minister of Thailand following the removal of Srettha Thavisin, who was ousted by a Constitutional Court ruling on August 14. The youngest prime minister in Thai history and the second female prime minister, she is the youngest daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Chinnawath (74).

Her father, Thaksin Chinnawath, served as Thailand's prime minister from 2001 to 2006 but was ousted by a military coup in 2006. After 15 years in exile, he returned last year. Upon his return, he was imprisoned with an eight-year sentence, which was reduced to one year by royal pardon. One day after Paetongtarn was elected prime minister, he was included in the king's pardon list and was released.