BANGKOK — On September 6, Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn officially swore in Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her 35-member Cabinet, marking a new chapter in the country’s political landscape following recent upheavals.
Paetongtarn, 38, leader of the Pheu Thai party, ascended to the role of prime minister after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was dismissed by a court over an ethics violation. Her appointment by Parliament in August 2024 makes her Thailand’s youngest prime minister.
The new Cabinet, endorsed by King Vajiralongkorn on September 4, features 17 members from the Pheu Thai party, including Paetongtarn, and 19 from coalition partners. The official swearing-in ceremony took place at Bangkok’s Dusit Palace, with the king and Queen Suthida in attendance.
“I wish, with gladness, that the Cabinet will have the encouragement and determination to perform your duties as you have sworn for the benefit of the country and people,” King Vajiralongkorn remarked during the ceremony, to which the Cabinet ministers responded with a respectful bow.
Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of the controversial former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is entering office without prior government experience. Her administration faces significant challenges, including managing a struggling economy. She is the second woman and fourth member of the Shinawatra family to hold Thailand’s top elected position, with previous Shinawatra premiers having been removed by coups or court decisions.
Paetongtarn’s government is scheduled to present its policy statement to Parliament on September 12 and 13, officially marking the start of her term.