Mother Talk: Paetongtarn “Ing” Shinawatra Shares Her Views as a Mother-To-Be

For Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a political science graduate, hotelier managing a diverse portfolio, and the daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Potjaman Damapong, pregnancy is going very well. She’s expecting her baby to arrive by January 20th, and although she easily gets tired, the pregnancy has been smooth sailing as she has had very little morning sickness and not much discomfort.

“We’re going to have a girl,” she reveals. “We have like 20 names we’re thinking of for her, but we haven’t decided on anything yet”.

The main challenge for Ing has really been Covid-19, and trying to stay safe and healthy while being pregnant. “I have just had to be extra careful. Especially when travelling. I went to Dubai last month, to see my father – who had Covid earlier this year – and thankfully I didn’t get it, but being vigilant is key. Travelling with a baby during Covid is not easy, but once I was in Dubai it was good.”

In anticipation of the arrival of her child, her sisters can’t stop buying her baby items. Ing personally has felt ready for a while. “I’m eight months pregnant now, things are slowing down a bit but every day I am one step closer to seeing my child. I am so excited!”

We ask her what kind of parent she wants to be, she says, “One that listens to my child, who is calm and caring. I want to be her friend too, someone she can talk to. I don’t want to be quick to judge her, I want her to feel like she can come to me with anything.”

Her husband, Pidok “Por” Sooksawas, has been more than caring throughout her pregnancy. “When he sees me struggling with pain he touches my tummy and says, ‘Thank you so much for carrying my baby’. When my back hurts, he’ll rub it for me or he’ll help out any way he can. He’s getting really excited about the baby’s arrival too.”

It’s natural for pregnant women, especially ones having their first baby, to worry a lot, but Ing has some very useful advice for this. “Many questions can be answered with science and by your doctor. Make sure you do your research because once you understand something and have the information, the worry will go away. Instead of worrying too much, try to focus on these special moments as your child is growing inside of you – it’s so precious!”