Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn officially endorsed Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the country’s next prime minister on Sunday, according to CNN. Her appointment follows a turbulent week in Thai politics, during which the Constitutional Court removed her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, who was also from the Pheu Thai party.
With the king’s formal approval, Paetongtarn Shinawatra is now poised to begin the process of assembling a Cabinet, which is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
Recently, the Thai Parliament voted to make Paetongtarn Shinawatra the nation’s next and youngest-ever prime minister, as reported by Al Jazeera. She succeeds Srettha Thavisin, who was ousted from office by a constitutional court ruling on August 14.
Known by her nickname Ung Ing, Paetongtarn, 37, is the youngest child of billionaire tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra and is the third member of her family, after her father and aunt, to hold the country’s highest office. Her nomination was confirmed by the ruling coalition of her Pheu Thai party.