Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has survived a no-confidence vote in parliament, in a major test of her leadership. She had been grilled for two days over the influence of her father, the country's former leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, on government policies.



Lower House lawmakers voted against the motion on Wednesday by 319 to 162. Paetongtarn told reporters she was happy with the result, and thanked all the lawmakers for their participation in the debate.



The opposition camp used the debate to scrutinize her leadership abilities, especially her knowledge of the economy. It also accused her administration of being under the influence of Thaksin, who holds no official government role.
She dismissed the accusations, saying she is "not the only one who might be under somebody's influence."



She said on Tuesday in parliament that there have been protests calling for her to resign as prime minister, and it is everybody's right to do so in the parliamentary setting.



But she added: "Something you cannot ask me to resign from is being a daughter or a mother."



A poll conducted by a government institute last month showed lukewarm approval of her performance since taking office in August. More than half of the respondents said they were not satisfied.