00:00Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated Paitong Tharn Sinawatra on her
00:06historic election as Thailand's youngest-ever prime minister and the second woman to hold
00:11the esteemed office.
00:13In a Facebook post on Sunday, Anwar highlighted the strong and enduring partnership between
00:19the close neighbours, rooted in historical, cultural and economic ties, as well as deep-rooted
00:24kinship.
00:26He expressed his eagerness to work closely with Paitong Tharn to further strengthen the
00:30bilateral relationship between the two nations.
00:33Anwar also emphasised the mutual benefits of pursuing peace and development in southern
00:38Thailand, which would positively impact communities on both sides of the border.
00:43Additionally, he expressed his gratitude to former Prime Minister Sreta Tavesin for his
00:49visionary leadership in bolstering the ties between Malaysia and Thailand.
00:53Paitong Tharn, the 37-year-old youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Sinawatra,
00:59officially received King Vajiralongkorn's royal command at a ceremony on Sunday morning,
01:04just two days after being elected by Parliament.
01:08She succeeds Sreta, who was removed from office by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday.
01:13In her first press conference as Thailand's 31st prime minister, Paitong Tharn pledged
01:18to continue all the policies of her predecessor, Sreta.
01:22I am dedicated to pushing forward key policies, from economic reforms and the 30-bath health
01:30care improvements, to enhancing digital infrastructure and promoting Thailand's soft power on the
01:37global stage.
01:39As the daughter of the influential and divisive political figure Thaksin Sinawatra, Paitong
01:44Tharn secured the premiership with 319 votes, nearly two-thirds of the House, making her
01:50the second female prime minister and the third Sinawatra to hold the position, following
01:55her aunt Yingluck Sinawatra and her father Thaksin.
01:59Paitong Tharn, who has never served in government previously, will face numerous challenges,
02:04including a struggling economy and dwindling support for her few-Thai party, which has
02:09yet to deliver on its flagship digital wallet cash handout programme, worth 500 billion
02:15baht, or nearly 65 billion ringgit.
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