Thailand swore Paetongtarn Shinawatra in as prime minister on Friday, capping a month of political turmoil that saw her predecessor thrown out of office and the main opposition party dissolved.
Paetongtarn, the daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, took the oath in a closed-door ceremony with King Maha Vajiralongkorn around 6:15 pm (1115 GMT), officially becoming Thailand’s youngest prime minister.
(FILES) Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, known by her nickname “Ung Ing” and daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, speaks during a press conference after the royal endorsement ceremony appointing her as the new prime minister of Thailand, in Bangkok on August 18, 2024.(Photo by Chanakarn LAOSARAKHAM / AFP)
The 38-year-old leader was later seen greeting reporters before entering an official vehicle and leaving Government House.
The king congratulated her new cabinet, saying in a speech broadcast on television news: “I trust that you will perform your duties with excellence.”
Thailand’s incoming deputy transport minister and Pheu Thai Party member Manaporn Charoensri arrives at Government House in Bangkok on September 6, 2024, ahead of the new cabinet’s royal oath-taking ceremony. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)Thailand’s incoming minister of higher education, science, research, and innovation (MHESI) and member of the Bhumjaithai Party Supamas Isarabhakdi arrives at Government House in Bangkok on September 6, 2024, ahead of the new cabinet’s royal oath-taking ceremony. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Puea Thai Party member Phumtham Wechayachai gestures as he arrives at Government House in Bangkok on September 6, 2024, ahead of the new cabinet’s royal oath-taking ceremony. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul (L) and incoming labour minister and Bhumjaithai Party member Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn (R) arrive at Government House in Bangkok on September 6, 2024, ahead of the new cabinet’s royal oath-taking ceremony. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP)
Paetongtarn replaces Srettha Thavisin, from her Pheu Thai party, after the kingdom’s Constitutional Court sacked him in mid-August for appointing a cabinet minister with a criminal conviction.
Her 36-member cabinet includes eight women, a record for Thailand, according to public broadcaster Thai PBS.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, known by her nickname “Ung Ing” and daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, poses with her son Thasin as she arrives at the Shinawatra Tower in Bangkok on September 4, 2024. (Photo by Manan VATSYAYANA / AFP)
