BANGKOK - Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s 42-year-old husband has shifted from a career as a commercial pilot to playing a pivotal role in the Shinawatra empire.

Thai politics turned a new page on Aug 16 when the Pheu Thai Party leader became the 31st prime minister of Thailand, as well as the youngest Thai PM at age 37.

She is also only the second woman in the country to helm the role, after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra who was in office from 2011 to 2014.

Hailing from a family of business tycoons and politicians, Ms Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is seen as the de facto leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. 

Her father was Thailand’s prime minister from 2001 to 2006.

Ms Paetongtarn, nicknamed Ung Ing, is married to Mr Pitaka Suksawat. The couple have two children – a daughter and a son.

The couple have two children – a daughter and a son. PHOTO: ING SHINAWATRA/FACEBOOK

Mr Pitaka, 42, was born in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat and graduated with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang in Bangkok.

Mr Pitaka and Ms Paetongtarn were introduced to each other by Mr Khanapoj Joemrith, who is Mr Pitaka’s cousin and a close friend of Ms Paetongtarn. Mr Khanapoj was previously the director of the now-defunct Thai Raksa Chart Party.

Mr Pitaka worked as a pilot with a commercial airline before switching to real-estate business as vice-president of investment at Rende Development. PHOTO: ING SHINAWATRA/FACEBOOK

After dating for two years, the couple decided to tie the knot on March 17, 2019.

Mr Pitaka worked as a pilot with a commercial airline before switching to real-estate business as vice-president of investment at Rende Development.

After dating for two years, the couple decided to tie the knot on March 17, 2019. PHOTO: ING SHINAWATRA/FACEBOOK

He was also a committee of Thaicom Foundation before taking on the role of helping his wife in her business and political endeavours. THE NATION/ ASIA NEWS NETWORK