National —
On August 16th, 2024, the House of Representatives held a special session to elect a new Prime Minister, following the Constitutional Court’s decision to end Srettha Thavisin’s term.
Chaired by House Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, the emergency session was called to consider the appointment of a new Thai Prime Minister under Section 159 of the Constitution.
Pheu Thai MP Sorawong Thienthong nominated Paetongtarn Shinawatra, with 291 MPs registering their support—well over the required 50. With no other nominees, Paetongtarn became the sole candidate for the position.
The session proceeded to a vote, where Paetongtarn needed the support of more than half of the 493 MPs, or at least 248 votes. In the final tally, Paetongtarn secured 319 votes in favor, 145 against, and 27 abstentions, surpassing the necessary threshold.
Notably, Pheu Thai party-list MP Chalerm Yubamrung abstained from voting, while Palang Pracharath Party leader Gen. Prawit Wongsuwon was absent, attending a reception for Thai athletes returning from the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Following the announcement of the results, Pheu Thai members and their allies erupted in applause as Paetongtarn was confirmed as Thailand’s 31st Prime Minister-elect, now awaiting royal confirmation and swearing in. Paetongtarn, or Ung Ing, is 37 years old, marked as the youngest Prime Minister in Thai history, and the youngest daughter of controversial former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
She is the fourth Shinawatra family member to be Prime Minister of Thailand. TPN media will have more on her policies and cabinet as they are announced, especially amongst concerns over the fate of the previous 10,000 Baht digital wallet policy made a priority by now former PM Srettha Thavisin.
