Paetongtarn’s rise gives birth to some strange theories

How many prime ministers does Thailand have? It’s a question dramatized by the much-taunted action of Srettha Thavisin who appeared to be kissing a hand of Paetongtarn Shinawatra immediately after she was named the new leader of the Pheu Thai Party, a scene that looks like a film’s ending hinting at a sequel.

“I’m serious,” veteran journalist Suthichai Yoon tweeted after Srettha jokingly asked reporters “which prime minister” they were seeking comments from. “I heard we have two,” Srettha quipped at the time.

“Do we actually have three?” Suthichai asked. His tweet carried a picture of Srettha respectfully bowing before Paetongtarn during the congratulatory scene full of smiles and hand clapping after she officially took the helm of a political empire her father had founded.

Srettha retweeted it, and gave a very short answer. “Just one krub, (and the name is)…