BANGKOK — Known more for his celebrity lifestyle than his career ambitions, Panthongtae Shinawatra’s political prospects would be brighter if “he took off the f**king sunglasses,” observers say.
Wearing his trademark aviators, the 25-year-old self-styled photographer made several appearances for the People’s Power Party (PPP) in the run-up to the recent election.
PPP executives said that Panthongtae performed well and that, while he has none of his father’s intelligence, political skills or confidence, the young man “may one day have a clear vision of the country.”
Some analysts aren’t so sure.
“He could follow in his father’s footsteps but he prefers to obscure them with a ridiculous pair of oversized aviators,” said political analyst Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University. “I think the future is dim for Panthongtae.”
Thitinan said that Panthongtae was currently caught between his status as both celebrity and not-really-a-celebrity: “Celebrities typically wear sunglasses to disguise themselves as normal people. Conversely, normal people use them to act like they are celebrities. What exactly Panthongtae is doing only he knows.”
Panthongtae’s sisters say they are not sure their brother should lose the shades quite yet “because, you know, hee hee, his pupils are sooo dilated.”
