After a month of political turmoil, Thailand will have a new government this week. King Maha Vajiralongkorn confirmed the cabinet put together by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Wednesday. The names of the 35 ministers were published in the Royal Gazette. The new government is to be sworn in on Thursday.
38-year-old Shinawatra from the Pheu Thai party was ceremonially confirmed in her new office by the king two and a half weeks ago and tasked with forming a new government. She is the youngest head of government ever in Thailand. After her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra, she is only the second woman to hold this office.
Daughter of a billionaire
Paetongtarn is the offspring of the influential Shinawatra clan and daughter of the billionaire and former head of government Thaksin Shinawatra. Like his sister Yingluck, he ruled for several years. Both were then ousted by military coups. In recent decades, Thailand has repeatedly had military governments. The democracy movement, especially among younger Thais, has long been trying to make its voice heard with street protests.
