Thailand's prime minister faces a no-confidence vote over alleged influence by her father

BANGKOK (AP) — Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday faced a no-confidence motion in parliament as the opposition alleged she was being unduly influenced by her father, a former prime minister, and is mismanaging the country.

Paetongtarn, who took office last year, is expected to survive her first no-confidence vote on Wednesday with the backing of her ruling coalition that makes up the majority of the House of Representatives.

The head of the opposition in parliament, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, said Paetongtarn had failed to address many of the country’s chronic problems including the slumping economy, air pollution, crimes and corruption. He said her administration was serving the interests of her family and her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a popular but highly controversial political figure.

Paetongtarn heads the Pheu Thai Party, the latest in a string of populist parties affiliated with Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, fled into exile and recently returned to Thailand. Thaksin has been at the heart of nearly two decades of deep political divisions pitting a mostly poor, rural majority that supported him against royalists, the military and their urban backers, who accuse him of threatening their status and that of the revered monarchy.

Natthapong is the leader of the People’s Party, a resurrection of the progressive, reformist Move Forward Party, which took the most seats in the general election in 2023 but failed to take power due to strong opposition from the conservative establishment, and was ordered dissolved.

Natthapong said the formation of the ruling coalition, which saw Pheu Thai partner with its former conservative rivals, was part of the political bargain to bring Thaksin home.

Paetongtarn was also accused by Prawit Wongsuwan, head of the Palang Pracharath Party, Pheu Thai’s former coalition partner, of falsely declaring her assets, which she denied.

House Speaker of Parliament Wan Muhamad Noor Matha speaks during a no-confidence debate against Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, left, and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra react during a no-confidence debate against the prime minister at Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Leader of People's Party, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut speaks during a no-confidence debate against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra at the Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, left, and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra greet to lawmakers during a no-confidence debate against the prime minister at Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, center, answers questions from reporters on her arrival at the Parliament before a no-confidence debate in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, left, and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra greet to lawmakers before a no-confidence debate against the prime minister at Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, center, answers questions from reporters on her arrival at the Parliament before a no-confidence debate against the prime minister in Bangkok, Thailand, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Defending champion Argentina had to put the celebrations on hold for a while after securing a place at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday before kickoff against archrival Brazil.

Bolivia’s failure to beat Uruguay meant Argentina had enough cushion in South American qualifying to secure one of the continent’s six direct spots for the 48-team World Cup set to be co-hosted next year by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

After Bolivia's 0-0 draw with Uruguay at El Alto, Argentina beat Brazil 4-1 in front of 85,000 fans at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium despite the absence of Lionel Messi.

Brazil's worst deficit in South American World Cup qualifying history compounded pressure on coach Dorival Júnior, who took over in January of last year.

Brazil is in fourth place in South American qualifying with 21 points, 10 behind Argentina but only two behind second-place Ecuador, which was held to a 0-0 draw by Chile. Third-place Uruguay and fifth-place Paraguay also have 21 points, and Colombia is one point behind them in sixth. Seventh-place Venezuela has 15 points after a 1-0 win over 9th-place Peru.

Brazil was missing three regular starters — goalkeeper Alisson, defender Gabriel Magalhães and midfielder Bruno Guimarães — and wasn't really competitive from start to finish.

It's the first time Argentina has won both matches against Brazil in a World Cup qualifying tournament. The home victory was also Argentina's first against the Brazilians since qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.

Argentina has led South American qualifying from the start, with few hiccups and major away wins at Brazil and Uruguay. But coach Lionel Scaloni has not fielded 37-year-old Messi in several games, which still raises doubts on whether the star will play at the World Cup next year.

Messi has an injury to his adductor and was not included in Argentina’s squad for the two latest matches.

Argentina scored its two first goals in only 12 minutes of play, both thanks to accurate passing and some clumsy Brazilian defending.

Julián Alvarez netted the first in the 4th minute after Marquinhos, Murillo and Guilherme Arana failed to reach the ball. The Argentina striker shot between the legs of goalkeeper Bento from close range.

Argentina scored again eight minutes later with Enzo Fernández, once again from close range after a low cross by Gonzalo Molina.

Brazil got one back via Matheus Cunha in the 26th after a mistake by Cristian Romero, who lost the ball to the Brazilian by the edge of the box. Enzo Fernandez found Alexis Mac Allister bursting into the penalty box unmarked 11 minutes later to make it 3-1 to Argentina.

During the break, Brazil sought to get some grip by boosting its presence in the midfield with Joao Gomes and the substitution of Murillo and striker Rodrygo. But it was to no avail, with Giuliano Simeone scoring for Argentina in the 71st minute.

“All of us can do better than this. It isn't only about Dorival,” Brazil's captain Marquinhos said. “This is not only the coach's fault, it is the players too. We need to have our heads in the right place. They (Argentina) also had tough times before and they overcame it. We can do it too.”

Savarese reported from Sao Paulo.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Argentina's Enzo Fernandez scores his side's second goal against Brazil during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Argentina's Rodrigo De Paul, left, and Brazil's Raphinha argue during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

Brazil's Joao Gomes walks off the field after his side's 1-4 lost against Argentina in a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Fireworks go off after Argentina defeated Brazil in a qualifying soccer match for the World Cup 2026 at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Argentina's Leandro Paredes celebrates after defeating Brazil in a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Gustavo Garello)

Uruguay's coach Marcelo Bielsa gives instructions during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Bolivia in El Alto, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

Uruguay's Sebastian Caceres, right, and Bolivia's Gabriel Villamil vie for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the World Cup 2026 in El Alto, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

Uruguay's Darwin Nunez, right, and Bolivia's Hector Cuellar vie for the ball during a qualifying soccer match for the World Cup 2026 in El Alto, Bolivia, Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)

Fans of Argentina celebrate as their team defeated Uruguay during a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, March 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)