Thailand's parliament on Friday (Aug 16) elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its youngest prime minister. A report by the news agency Reuters said that Paetongtarn, the 37-year-old daughter of divisive political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra sailed through a House vote.

Thailand's parliament on Friday (Aug 16) elected Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its youngest prime minister. A report by the news agency Reuters said that Paetongtarn, the 37-year-old daughter of divisive political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra sailed through a House vote. Her appointment comes two days after Srettha Thavisin was dismissed as premier by a judiciary central to Thailand's two decades of intermittent turmoil. Paetongtarn is Thailand's second female prime minister and the third Shinawatra to take the top job after her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, and father Thaksin, the country's most influential and polarising politician. Also read | Political chaos in Thailand: PM Srettha Thavisin removed from office by court Reuters reported that she won easily with 319 votes or nearly two-thirds of the house. What's at stake for the new PM? At stake for Paetongtarn could be the legacy and political future of the billionaire Shinawatra family. The 37-year-old has never been in government. Reuters reported that Paetongtarn would immediately face challenges on multiple fronts, with the economy floundering, competition from a rival party growing, and Pheu Thai's popularity dwindling, having yet to deliver on its flagship cash handout programme worth $14.25 billion. 'The first meal...': Paetongtarn reacts to her appointment Paetongtarn was not present in parliament and watched the vote from her Pheu Thai Party's headquarters. Her first public comment on the win was posting on Instagram a picture of her lunch - chicken rice - with the caption: "The first meal after listening to the vote." "I really hope that I can make people feel confident. I hope to improve the quality of lives and empower all Thais," she separately said. Paetongtarn had entered politics just two years ago. Before that, she helped run the hotel arm of the Shinawatra business empire. (With inputs from agencies)

Thailand elects Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its youngest prime minister

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Thailand elects Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its youngest prime minister