Paetongtarn officially becomes Thailand's 31st prime minister

King Maha Vajiralongkorn's formal approval allows Paetongtarn to start her duties as Thailand's youngest premier

BANGKOK:

Thailand's new Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, officially assumed office after receiving royal assent from King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Sunday. The endorsement came two days after Paetongtarn was elected by the Parliament, as reported by the Bangkok Post.

The royal approval, announced by House of Representatives Secretary Apat Sukhanand during a ceremony in Bangkok, enables Paetongtarn to begin forming her Cabinet in the coming days.

In her speech, Paetongtarn expressed gratitude to the King and Parliament, vowing to lead the country with stability by listening to all opinions. She pledged to work closely with legislators, emphasising collaboration and open-mindedness. Before delivering her speech, she paid homage to a portrait of King Vajiralongkorn, a symbolic gesture of her respect and commitment.

At 37, Paetongtarn becomes Thailand's 31st and youngest prime minister. She is the third member of the influential Shinawatra family to hold the office, following her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. Paetongtarn’s election follows the removal of Srettha Thavisin, who was disqualified by the Thai Constitutional Court over an ethics violation.

With more than the required 247 votes in the 493-member lower house, Paetongtarn's leadership marks a significant continuation of her family’s political legacy in Thailand.