From commercial pilot to her key supporter: Meet Thai PM Paetongtarn’s husband  

BANGKOK – Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s 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 the country, as well as the

youngest Thai PM at 37.

She is also only the second woman in the nation 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 prime minister from 2001 to 2006.

Ms Paetongtarn, nicknamed Ung Ing, is married to Mr Pitaka Suksawat, 42. They have two children – a daughter and a son.

Mr Pitaka, 42, was born in southern province Nakhon Si Thammarat and has a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from 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 director of the now-defunct Thai Raksa Chart Party.

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 as vice-president of investment at Rende Development.

Now he is also helping his wife in her business and political endeavours. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK