Thaksin's niece happy to remain out of political limelight

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s son, Panthongtae "Oak" Shinawatra, recently turned down a suggestion by Pheu Thai politicians that he become a party MP candidate and Thaksin's political heir. His regular Facebook writings have been highly praised by the ruling party’s politicians.

 

Another young member of the family, Chayika “Sand” Wongnapachant is playing a behind-the-scenes role as part of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s social media team. She is the daughter of Yaowares Shinawatra, who is Thaksin’s younger sister and Yingluck’s elder sister. Chayika has adopted her father’s surname.

 

This 35-year-old niece of Thaksin is a political appointee at Government House. Her Facebook profile says she is not a politician, but rather “just another person who works in politics”.

 

She is part of the group that runs the prime minister’s official social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. She has spent much of her career in politics monitoring mainstream media and following the views of opposition opponents on social media. She keeps a close eye on the Facebook pages of five leading opposition Democrat Party figures, including Abhisit Vejjajiva, Korn Chatikavanij, Korbsak Sabhavasu, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, and Alongkorn Ponlaboot.

 

Chayika tries to connect Yingluck with the middle class and younger generations by reporting regularly about the PM’s work. Her ultimate goal is creating a good image for the PM, but sometimes mistakes made by her team do occur – something she was not keen to talk about.

 

“I realise that my job is important. Aunt Pou [Yingluck] told me that we are here and we have to do better than others. If we do well, it’s fine. But if we make a mistake, we will be attacked hard,” she said.

 

Chayika says she is aware that people may realise she has reached this point because she is the PM's niece.

 

“It’s not the first time I have worked with Aunt Pou. Actually, I worked with her for 10 years at SC Asset Corporation. When she entered politics, I followed to be part of her support team,” she said.

 

 One lesson Chayika has already learned on-the-job is that when in politics, you must be patient and careful, because the public is “monitoring” you at all times.

 

She often discusses politics with Yingluck, PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva, and Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai.

 

“They are my political teachers. My mum told Auntie that she should not give me special treatment and that if necessary, she should admonish me the way she thinks best,” Chayika said.

 

Although she works in an important area of politics that could pave the way for her to one day become an MP, the young woman says she has no political ambitions. “I enjoy working as a member of the PM's staff. I don’t want to be in the middle of any war of words. If I could choose, I would say that I don’t wish to be a politician,” Chayika said.

 

Her cousin Panthongtae said recently he was not interested in entering politics and had already become more involved in political activities than his parents had wished for. 

 

When asked about her more limited role in politics compared to that of Panthongtae, Chayika said she had learned to set her own limits. “I think he [Panthongtae] will not jump into the political arena. For me, I know that mum loves me and wants me to do good things, but we should all be able to decide our own careers,” she said, adding that presently, she just wants to become an expert and learn more. 

 

When asked about what she thought was her best work, Chayika was unable to say. “I have been criticised by some people and that hurts sometimes, but I try to do my best,” she said.

 

On bad days Chayika cheers herself up by listening to her favourite songs – shutting herself away from the world of social networks.

 

She said during family gatherings, younger members of the family often avoided political topics. “At family gatherings, we do not talk about politics much. We share ideas on general topics, such as movies and [film] stars. It's no different from other people of similar ages,” she said.