King endorses Yingluck as PM [read the list of her cabinet ministers]

Bangkok Post
Published: 9/08/2011

National reconciliation tops new govt's agenda

His Majesty the King yesterday endorsed Yingluck Shinawatra as the country's first female prime minister.

Thailand’s first female prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra pays respects to a portrait of His Majesty the King as she receives the royalcommand appointing her as premier at PheuThai Party headquarters in Bangkok yesterday. MsYingluck is the country’s 28th prime minister. MEDIAPOOL

In her first address to the nation after receiving the royal command formalising her premiership, Ms Yingluck vowed her allegiance to the monarchy and pledged to foster national reconciliation.

Her cabinet line-up is expected to be submitted for royal endorsement today.

See also:
Yingluck focuses on cabinet
Good morning, Madam Prime Minister
So much hope pinned on one woman

At 6.40pm yesterday, the secretary-general of the House of Representatives Pitoon Pumhiran brought the royal command to the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok.

Mr Pitoon read out the royal command appointing Ms Yingluck as the country's new premier after she was nominated for the top job uncontested on Friday by the majority of members of the House of Representatives.

The royal command, which was countersigned by House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont, was then placed before a portrait of His Majesty the King.

Ms Yingluck, the younger sister of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, knelt and paid respects before the King's portrait as she received the command, to the cheers and applause of a huge crowd of supporters.

Also present were key Pheu Thai members, Shinawatra family members such as Somchai Wongsawat and Ms Yingluck's elder sister Yaowapa Wongsawat, Payap Shinawatra as well as leaders and key coalition party figures.

Ms Yingluck's husband, Anusorn Amornchat, and her son Suppasek, also attended the ceremony.