One of the front-runners in Thailand’s general election yesterday hailed her newborn son as her “secret power” as she presented the baby to the media after giving birth just two weeks before polling day.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, vowed to get back on the campaign trail for the May 14 vote after giving birth on Monday.
The 36-year-old has been first or second in surveys of voters’ preferred choice of prime minister and her Pheu Thai party — the latest incarnation of the political movement founded by her father — is leading most opinion polls.
Photo: AP
“I believe that good things come with babies, so this is a blessing for my family,” she told reporters at Bangkok’s Praram 9 hospital. “My children are my secret power to work and to live life.”
A heavily pregnant Paetongtarn was a near-constant presence at campaign rallies in searing tropical heat until just a week before giving birth.
The baby, named Prutthasin Sooksawas and nicknamed “Thasin” in honor of her father, is Paetongtarn’s second.
She described her emotions on delivering him safely, after his heart rate fell during labor.
“Once I heard his cry, my tears fell,” she said.
“I felt relief that he was safe. I am glad he is safe,” she added.
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