Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has been appointed as Thailand’s new prime minister after receiving an official endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn on Sunday.
Her appointment follows a parliamentary vote just two days earlier, after the Constitutional Court suspended former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.
Paetongtarn is the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold the prime ministerial office, following her father, a billionaire, and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra. Both were ousted from power and forced into exile after military coups, although Thaksin returned to Thailand last year after the Pheu Thai party formed the government.
The new prime minister received her appointment letter during a ceremony at the party headquarters in Bangkok, attended by senior members of the ruling coalition and her father, who, despite holding no formal position, is widely regarded as the party’s leader.
At 38, Paetongtarn, also known by her nickname “Ung Ing,” steps into the role with significant political heritage and expectations.
Photo: พรรคเพื่อไทย -Pheu Thai Party