PM's daughter gets McDonald's job

Thaksin Shinawatra worked at KFC as a student

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra sent his teenage daughter to work at McDonald's on Monday.

The billionaire leader sent 17-year-old Paethongtan to the fast food outlet as part of his campaign to encourage greater responsibility in the young.

Paethongtan, who has just completed her university entrance exams, will work there on a part-time basis.

Mr Thaksin, who himself worked at KFC while studying in the US, was one of the first customers.

"I am buying the burgers for the ministers I am meeting today," said Mr Thaksin.

Valuable lesson

Paethongtan, the youngest of the prime minister's three children, spent her first day learning to operate the cash register, but she will soon graduate to flipping burgers.

Mr Thaksin, a former policeman who earned a fortune in the telecommunications industry, said that taking a part-time job gave teenagers a proper appreciation of the value of money.

"In developed countries, children usually work while they study to gain experience and to appreciate the value of money and how to spend it," Mr Thaksin said.

"I would like to acquaint her with the work environment."

"Any kind of work will do if students can find some part-time jobs to do to gain experience, that they can spend their time constructively, and also at least can earn a living to help relieve the burden of their parents," he added.