Paetongtarn Shinawatra Elected as Thailand’s New Prime Minister

The Thai parliament on Friday elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 37-year-old leader of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, as the country’s new prime minister. This comes just two days after the Constitutional Court removed Srettha Thavisin from the position.

Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, secured the support of 319 lower house members, surpassing the required majority. Out of the 491 lawmakers present, 145 voted against her, and 27 abstained. The opposition did not nominate any candidates.

Paetongtarn is expected to hold a press conference later today and will soon be sworn in as Thailand’s 31st prime minister, leading the formation of a new government. On Thursday, she pledged to continue her party’s policies.

Srettha Thavisin was dismissed from office by the court for breaching the constitution by appointing an ex-convict to his cabinet. The court’s ruling also led to the dissolution of the entire cabinet.