Thai PM sails through no-confidence vote in parliament

[BANGKOK] Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra won a no-confidence motion in parliament.

Despite her lukewarm ratings in opinion polls and economic growth far adrift of regional peers, Wednesday’s vote indicates Paetongtarn’s coalition remains solid, lowering the prospect of near-term instability in a county fraught with intermittent political turmoil.

Governments led by Pheu Thai and its predecessors, all led by or controlled by Thaksin, have been removed by courts or military coups, underscoring deep-rooted animosity between the polarising billionaire and powerful conservatives with influence over key institutions.

Paetongtarn has insisted her government is not under anyone’s influence, while Thaksin has said he is retired and only offers advice. REUTERS