Thailand’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra sworn in as PM after royal sign-off

Thailand’s Paetongtarn Shinawatra sworn in as PM after royal sign-off

Thailand’s political landscape took a significant turn as Paetongtarn Shinawatra was officially endorsed by the King as the new Prime Minister, just two days after securing a parliamentary victory. At 37 years old, Paetongtarn has become Thailand’s youngest prime minister, stepping into the role after the Constitutional Court’s recent dismissal of Srettha Thavisin.

King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s formal endorsement of Paetongtarn was announced during a ceremony in Bangkok, marking a significant moment in Thailand’s ongoing political saga. Paetongtarn, who hails from a prominent political family, secured nearly two-thirds of the votes in the House of Representatives, following in the footsteps of her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s first female prime minister.

As Thailand’s second female prime minister and leader of the Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn has garnered strong support from senior party leaders and coalition partners. Reporting from Bangkok, Tony Cheng of Al Jazeera noted that while her cabinet choices remain unannounced, it is expected that her administration will maintain continuity with that of her predecessor, Srettha.

During the royal endorsement, Paetongtarn expressed her commitment to leading with an open heart and listening to diverse opinions to guide the country toward stability.

However, Paetongtarn faces a challenging road ahead. Thailand’s economy is struggling, and her party’s popularity has been waning. In her first press conference, she pledged to continue the economic policies of Srettha, focusing on major stimulus and reform efforts, tackling illegal drugs, enhancing the country’s universal healthcare system, and promoting gender diversity.

Economic concerns are paramount for Thai voters, many of whom are disappointed by the delay in implementing a promised digital wallet scheme. Pravit Rojanaphruk, a columnist for a Bangkok-based news outlet, emphasized that the economy will be a critical issue for Paetongtarn, particularly given Thailand’s economic struggles under military and semi-military rule over the past decade.

Paetongtarn also made it clear that she has no plans to appoint her father, Thaksin, to a government position but will seek his advice, a move welcomed by many within the government.

The political challenges facing Paetongtarn are further compounded by the recent dissolution of the Move Forward Party, last year’s election winner, over its efforts to amend a royal insult law. However, Paetongtarn’s government is expected to steer clear of any attempts to challenge the royal defamation law, aiming to maintain stability and appease the military and royalists.

Despite the divisions between the Pheu Thai Party and the newly formed People’s Party, Thailand’s political future remains uncertain under Paetongtarn’s leadership.

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