Paetongtarn Shinawatra received a formal endorsement from His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, becoming the country’s youngest prime minister.
Ms Paetongtarn’s royal ratification took place at a traditional ceremony on Sunday, after she won a parliament vote on Friday by an almost two-thirds majority. The 37-year-old was picked for the prime ministerial post after the country’s Constitutional Court dismissed Srettha Thavisin in an ethics violation case.
In the ceremony on Sunday Ms Paetongtarn knelt in homage to a portrait of the King before giving a short speech thanking him and the people's representatives for endorsing her as prime minister.
She promised to do her duty to the best of her ability, show loyalty to the royal institution and act with honesty for the utmost benefit of the public and the nation.
Ms Paetongtarn said that in the remaining three years of the House term, she, as head of the executives, would cooperate with the legislature with an open mind to develop the nation.
“This mission is a great one and cannot be accomplished by the prime minister alone. I expect to coordinate power among those of all generations and capable people in all sectors in Thailand including the cabinet, coalition parties, civil servants, the private sector and the general public,” she said.
“I will promote the development of all Thais’ potential and skills, and make every square inch in Thailand the space where Thais can have their dreams, use their creativity and shape their own future.”
“I, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as the prime minister, will do my duty to the best of my ability and make Thailand the country of equal opportunity and happiness for all fellow Thai people,” the premier declared.
Multiple challenges
Ms Paetongtarn, who has not served in government previously, faces challenges on multiple fronts, with the economy floundering and the popularity of her Pheu Thai party dwindling, having yet to deliver on its flagship digital wallet cash handout programme worth 500 billion baht.
After accepting the royal endorsement, Ms Paetongtarn hugged her father Thaksin and other family members.
In her first press conference, the new prime minister said she will continue with all policies of her predecessor Mr Srettha, including "major" economic stimulus and reform, tackling illegal drugs, improving the country's universal healthcare system and promoting gender diversity.
She said the government will not abandon its flagship digital wallet policy but will seek to "study and listen to additional options" to make sure the scheme is fiscally responsible.
"The goal is to stimulate the economy so this intention remains," Ms Paetongtarn said.
The prime minister said she has no plans to appoint her father Thaksin to any government position but will seek his advice.
Ms Paetongtarn said details of her government policies will be presented to parliament next month.
The youngest daughter of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra won the parliamentary vote for the top job by keeping intact an unwieldy alliance between the Shinawatra-controlled Pheu Thai Party and a number of royalist, conservative and military-backed parties that joined together following an election last year.
Ms Paetongtarn becomes the third member of the influential Shinawatra clan to lead the country. Her father was removed in a 2006 coup while her aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra, was disqualified by a court shortly before a 2014 takeover by the military.
