Thailand makes Shinawatra its youngest prime minister

Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been appointed as Thailand’s youngest ever prime minister in a remarkable moment for the political dynasty founded by her billionaire father who was ousted by a military coup in 2006.

- ARPAN RAI

The 37-year-old, who is the daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and head of the ruling Pheu Thai party, won the support of nearly two-thirds of the country’s parliament yesterday.

“I really hope that I can make people feel confident, that we can build opportunity and quality of life,” she told a news conference after the vote, appearing to be overwhelmed. “I hope that I can do my best to make the country go forward.”

Paetongtarn is set to immediately face challenges on multiple fronts, with Thailand’s economy floundering and the popularity of her party dwindling, having yet to deliver on its flagship cash handout programme worth 500bn baht (£11.1bn).

Her appointment comes just days after Srettha Thavisin was removed as PM by a constitutional court, after he briefly appointed a lawyer convicted of bribery to his cabinet in April. Thaksin Shinawatra, who was last year convicted of corruption and defaming the monarchy, was sentenced to eight years in prison but was released on parole in February.

Paetongtarn will become Thailand’s second woman prime minister and the country’s third leader from the Shinawatra family if the parliament vote approves her.