Paetongtarn defends iPad use at Qatar summit amid criticism

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra addressed criticisms after a photograph of her reading from an iPad at her first international summit in Qatar circulated on social media. The image, taken last week, raised questions about the 38 year old’s leadership abilities.

Responding on Instagram, Paetongtarn addressed a netizen who posted the photos and described them as embarrassing for Thailand. The netizen also unfavourably compared her to former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. In her statement, Paetongtarn urged that all leaders across the globe use scripts.

“Thank you for the advice. Please watch the news and read more information. During meetings like these, leaders across the world read scripts. It’s a commitment. It must be recorded. Everyone reads scripts, from sheikhs to ministers,

“Keep an open mind, and you’ll be happier.”

In an Instagram story, Paetongtarn reiterated her preparation for the event.

“It’s not like I went without doing my homework. It was an international event in which it would be inappropriate to break the norm.”

Noppadon Pattama, Pheu Thai Party list MP and former foreign affairs minister defended Paetongtarn, stating that reading from a script is standard practice in international meetings. He suggested that the criticism was unwarranted and urged critics to focus on the substance of her remarks instead.

Veteran journalist Suthichai Yoon also commented on the situation. In a post made on X (Twitter), he questioned why was her script written in English.

“Why read from an iPad? Why was it in English? Why didn’t the Foreign Affairs Ministry prepare an interpreter for her? Didn’t the Iranian president speak in his own language?”

Suthichai argued that Paetongtarn needs ‘special care’ due to her inexperience in international meetings, blaming the foreign affairs ministry for not adequately preparing her for the event, reported Bangkok Post.

The debate about Paetongtarn’s iPad underscores a broader conversation about modern diplomatic norms and expectations. The tool used by many leaders for its convenience and efficiency became a focal point for critics rather than the significance of her participation in the summit.