Thailands konung beviljar Paetongtarn Shinawatra till nya premiärminister.
The narrative unfolds after a sequence of unexpected developments in Thai politics, leading to the removal of Srettha Thavisin from his position within the Pheu Thai party by the Constitutional Court last week.
At the tender age of 37, Paetongtarn takes over as prime minister, making history as the youngest-ever leader in Thailand. She is the daughter of the ousted Thaksin Shinawatra, and the second female PM of the nation, following in the footsteps of her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister.
The approval for her position was conveyed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn's secretary at the Pheu Thai headquarters in Bangkok. Paetongtarn showed her gratitude by kneeling before a portrait of the king, followed by a brief address.
“Becoming the prime minister of Thailand is the highest honor and greatest pride in my life,” she said, expressing her gratitude to the king. “I, my family and the Pheu Thai party are deeply grateful for His Majesty’s benevolence. I vow to carry out my duties faithfully and honestly, with the best interests of the nation and its people in mind,” she added.
She is expected to form her 35-member cabinet and pledge allegiance to the king first.
The Constitutional Court found Srettha in violation of ethical codes by appointing a lawyer with prior imprisonment, who was also an aide to Thaksin, as part of his cabinet.
The dismissal of Srettha is another setback for the Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai, which has had strained relations with Thailand's conservative establishment, a group consisting of military, royalist, and business elites.
The Thai parliament voted Paetongtarn into the role on Friday, after she was nominated as the sole candidate by Pheu Thai's ruling coalition to replace Srettha.
Paetongtarn was among the three prime ministerial contenders for Pheu Thai ahead of the elections in May. She made headlines worldwide when she gave birth just two weeks before the polls, showcasing her resilience.
Thaksin continues to wield significant influence in Thailand. His pro-economic and populist policies have enabled him to establish a political dynasty that has ruled the nation for two decades, despite his ouster in a 2006 military coup.
Paetongtarn's ascension to power adds another layer to the lengthy drama that has been rocking Thailand's volatile political landscape.
Parties supporting Thaksin have struggled to maintain their grip on power in the past, having either been forced from office by coups or court rulings.
Yingluck was removed from her position before the military seized power in a 2014 coup, and Thaksin went into self-imposed exile in 2006, escaping corruption charges following the military's overthrow of his government.
The telecommunications billionaire and former owner of Manchester City Football Club returned to Thailand from exile in August last year.
The approval for Paetongtarn's prime ministership gained support not only in Thailand but also across the world, as she represents a significant figure in the ongoing political saga of Asia. The dismissal of Srettha and the subsequent rise of Paetongtarn have sparked global attention, indicating the influence of Asian politics on the world stage.
