Shinawatra to Marcos: Southeast Asia's Rising Political Dynasties

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: ThaiPBS

 

Political dynasties are leaving their marks on Southeast Asia, with successors from well-known families in Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Indonesia stepping into roles of power, perpetuating their families' political legacies.

 

In Thailand, the Shinawatra family stands out. Four family members have held the prime minister's office, starting with Thaksin Shinawatra in 2001. After Thaksin’s ouster, his sister Yingluck and brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat also served as prime ministers. Most recently, Thaksin’s daughter,

 

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, made history by becoming Thailand’s youngest prime minister at 38.

 

Cambodia saw a similar shift when Hun Sen, after 38 years in power, passed the baton to his son, Hun Manet, in 2022. Manet, with academic credentials from West Point, New York University, and the University of Bristol, has brought a new yet familiar face to the Cambodian leadership.**

 

The story is echoed in Indonesia, where President Joko Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is poised to become vice president, running alongside Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 elections. Meanwhile, the Widodo family joins a list of notable political lineages, including those of former presidents Megawati Sukarnoputri, BJ Habibie, and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.**

 

The Philippines boasts the Marcos family, with Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. serving as the current president, following his father's tenure from 1965 to 1986. The Aquino and Macapagal families are also prominent, with both producing presidents over the years.**

 

Elsewhere in the region, Singapore’s political landscape has been shaped by Lee Kuan Yew and his son Lee Hsien Loong. Malaysia saw Abdul Razak Hussein and his son Najib Razak both serve as prime ministers.** In Laos, the families of Kaysone Phomvihane and Khamtai Siphandone continue to dominate political life.

 

This trend underscores the enduring strength of family ties in the political sphere, as lineage and legacy often guide the path to power in Southeast Asia.

 

-- 2024-08-26

 

 

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[Emdog]

Anyone happen to notice that these vampires are busy sucking the life out the economies?

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

Political dynasties are leaving their marks on Southeast Asia,

Skid marks... putting the brakes on doing anything positive

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, Emdog said:

Anyone happen to notice that these vampires are busy sucking the life out the economies?

Yes...

[Hunz Kittisak]

They have political dynasties in the west too everywhere in the world infact 

Dun cherry pick 

[newbee2022]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy: ThaiPBS

 

Political dynasties are leaving their marks on Southeast Asia, with successors from well-known families in Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Indonesia stepping into roles of power, perpetuating their families' political legacies.

 

In Thailand, the Shinawatra family stands out. Four family members have held the prime minister's office, starting with Thaksin Shinawatra in 2001. After Thaksin’s ouster, his sister Yingluck and brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat also served as prime ministers. Most recently, Thaksin’s daughter,

 

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, made history by becoming Thailand’s youngest prime minister at 38.

 

Cambodia saw a similar shift when Hun Sen, after 38 years in power, passed the baton to his son, Hun Manet, in 2022. Manet, with academic credentials from West Point, New York University, and the University of Bristol, has brought a new yet familiar face to the Cambodian leadership.**

 

The story is echoed in Indonesia, where President Joko Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is poised to become vice president, running alongside Prabowo Subianto in the 2024 elections. Meanwhile, the Widodo family joins a list of notable political lineages, including those of former presidents Megawati Sukarnoputri, BJ Habibie, and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.**

 

The Philippines boasts the Marcos family, with Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. serving as the current president, following his father's tenure from 1965 to 1986. The Aquino and Macapagal families are also prominent, with both producing presidents over the years.**

 

Elsewhere in the region, Singapore’s political landscape has been shaped by Lee Kuan Yew and his son Lee Hsien Loong. Malaysia saw Abdul Razak Hussein and his son Najib Razak both serve as prime ministers.** In Laos, the families of Kaysone Phomvihane and Khamtai Siphandone continue to dominate political life.

 

This trend underscores the enduring strength of family ties in the political sphere, as lineage and legacy often guide the path to power in Southeast Asia.

 

-- 2024-08-26

 

 

Get the ASEAN NOW daily NEWSLETTER - Click HERE to subscribe

The Cambodian leader seems to be best qualified. I'm not sure about "bunga bunga" in Philippines. 

 

[sscc]

5 hours ago, Emdog said:

Anyone happen to notice that these vampires are busy sucking the life out the economies?

 

I notice ASEAN is on the rise.  

[john donson]

the bag of the devil is never full

[ravip]

Political dynasties are leaving their marks on Southeast Asia,

 

TBH not only Southeast Asia, the entire area - corruption to the marrow.

Will Asia ever get out of this quagmire? I doubt, take another century or two?