Thailand elects Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its youngest prime minister

Thailand's parliament on Friday (Aug 16) electedPaetongtarn Shinawatra as its youngest prime minister. A report by the news agency Reuters said thatPaetongtarn, the 37-year-old daughter ofdivisive 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 toThailand's two decades of intermittent turmoil.

Paetongtarn is Thailand'ssecond 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.

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 billionaireShinawatra family. The 37-year-old has never been in government.

Reuters reported that Paetongtarn wouldimmediately 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

Paetongtarnwas 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 runthe hotel arm of theShinawatra business empire.

(With inputs from agencies)