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.
Denne historien er fra August 17, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 17, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Fernandes saves ponderous United with extra-time goal
A stray punch got the battle of Britain going, but it took the right boot of Bruno Fernandes to decide it.
Keys overcomes Swiatek power in semi-final thriller
Tennis has seen its fair share of mesmerising performances.
RFU chief executive vows to stay despite bonus row
A defiant Bill Sweeney has vowed to continue as chief executive of England's Rugby Football Union (RFU) until the 2027 Rugby World Cup, even as he faces a revolt within the game over his tenure.
Canelo vs Crawford is the super fight with a twist
Mexican idol and US star set for September meet as fight fixer Turki Alalshikh strikes again,
Consumer confidence in economy falls to new low’
Consumer expectations for the economy have plunged as the government faces continued pressure over public finances.
SLAVE TO THE BEAT
On 'Eusexua', her defiantly weird paean to the Prague rave scene, FKA twigs bends vital new electronic shapes, writes Helen Brown, while rapper Central Cee's debut delivers
Think kink: the distinctions between BDSM and abuse
Olivia Petter talks to sex educators about what differentiates a consensual sexual practice from abusive behaviour, and why it's so crucial for partners to understand these polarities
Air pollution crisis in focus ahead of Delhi's election
Toxic air in India’s capital, population more than 33 million, has become a key political issue,
Lost Tina Turner track casts light on her return to fame
A surprise treasure has been unearthed from Tina Turner's vaults: the previously unheard track \"Hot for You, Baby\", which was intended for use on her fifth solo album, Private Dancer.
Could Britain really join a European customs union?
Europe's new trade official responsible for post-Brexit negotiations has said a \"pan-European [customs] area\" is something the EU could consider as part of \"resetting\" relations between the UK post-Brexit and the EU.
