Thailand’s King Officially Endorses Paetongtarn Shinawatra as Prime Minister

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, at 37, is now Thailand’s youngest prime minister. Her journey to this key role marks an important moment in Thai politics. The king of Thailand, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, approved her on Sunday, just two days after the Thai parliament voted for her. This royal approval allows her to form a new cabinet in Bangkok in the coming weeks.

Paetongtarn, the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, won almost two-thirds of the votes in the house. This victory makes her Thailand’s second female prime minister and the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold this office, following her father and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra.

The official approval ceremony took place in Bangkok. Paetongtarn, dressed in her official uniform, knelt before a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. In her speech, she thanked the king and the Thai parliament for their trust. She promised to listen to everyone and work together to bring stability to Thailand. 

But she faces challenges, like a weak economy and decreasing support for the Pheu Thai Party. Her party has yet to deliver on a key promise—a digital wallet cash handout worth 500 billion baht ($15 billion).

Despite these challenges, Paetongtarn remains determined. She announced that she would continue the policies of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, including economic changes, fighting illegal drugs, improving healthcare, and promoting gender diversity.

She also stated that her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, would not hold any government position, although she would seek his advice. The details of her government’s plans will be shared with the Thai parliament next month, marking the start of a new chapter in Thailand’s political story.