The parties in the coalition government have selected Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra as nominee for the country’s next prime minister when the House of Representatives meets today.
If her nomination is approved, the 37-year-old daughter of former premier and Pheu Thai patriarch Thaksin Shinawatra would become the youngest prime minister in the country’s history. She would succeed Srettha Thavisin, who was dismissed on Wednesday by the Constitutional Court.
Ms Paetongtarn would also be the third member of the Shinawatra family to hold the job after Thaksin and her aunt Yingluck. Thaksin’s brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawat also served briefly in the role in 2008.
It was reported earlier that key coalition figures met at Thaksin’s residence on Wednesday evening and chose Chaikasem Nitisiri, 75, a former justice minister and attorney-general.
But reports emerged on Thursday morning of opposition to Mr Chaikasem from coalition parties and many Pheu Thai MPs.
On Thursday afternoon the Pheu Thai executive board chose Ms Paetongtarn as the party’s candidate.
The House sitting is scheduled to begin at 10am on Friday. A simple majority of the 493 members is required to approve the new prime minister.
