Thai king appoints Paetongtarn Shinawatra as new PM

The Thai king on Sunday formally appointed Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the 37-year-old daughter of controversial billionaire ex-premier Thaksin, as Thailand's new prime minister.

In a ceremony held on Sunday morning at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters, Secretary-General of the House of Representatives Arphat Sukanan delivered the royal command stating that Paetongtarn has been appointed premier as she received a majority vote from the parliament on Aug. 16.

Paetongtarn becomes the country's youngest and second female prime minister after receiving the royal endorsement from Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn.

Shinawatra vowed to work with an "open heart" as she called on all Thais to help develop the kingdom.

"As head of the government I will work with parliament with an open heart, open to all ideas to help develop the country," she said in her first comment since receiving King Maha Vajiralongkorn's official command to take office.

(AFP and Xinhua)
(Updated at 11.36am)