PM-designate Paetongtarn Shinawatra said today that she is grateful for the votes she received in parliament, which saw her elected as the new Prime Minister of Thailand.
She declined, however, to provide details of her plans for the country, stating that she will reveal them after receiving royal assent.
Paetongtarn was elected the 31st prime minister of the country by MPs this morning, two days after her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, was removed from officen by the charter court.
She was the only candidate to be nominated. “I really hope that I will be able to instil confidence, build equal opportunities and empower all Thais,” she said.
Paetongtarn is the youngest daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who was convicted of corruption charges and is currently on parole.
“My father has already congratulated me on my victory. He said he was happy to see me take the position ‘before he develops Alzheimer’s’ [sic],” she told the audience during a live broadcast.
She also spoke with her mother, who has always been concerned about her well-being. “I assured her that I will take care of myself,” Paetongtarn said.
In her first interview after being elected, Paetongtarn mentioned that she is very excited and that her hands are shaking.
“I have spoken in public many times, but this time, I felt so excited that I was just mumbling,” she said.
