Thailand’s Shinawatra to lead five-party coalition

She only entered politics six weeks ago.

But now Yingluck Shinawatra is on her way to becoming Thailand’s first female prime minister.

Her Puea Thai party won a resounding victory in the weekend election and would have an overwhelming majority in parliament – but she has just announced plans to form a five-party coalition. The country’s powerful military say they accept her victory.

The papers are in no doubt about what this means for Thailand: the vote is a slap in the face for the pro-monarchy administration of Abhisit Vejjajiva.

It also suggests broad support for the policies of Yingluck’s brother Thaksin – a hero of the poor who has been in self-imposed exile in Dubai since a coup in 2006.

It has been a turbulent few years in Thailand. Many people want to put the past behind them and move on.

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