New PM asks for public’s understanding

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has sought understanding from the public by asking them to allow her and her Cabinet time to work before making any judgments.

“Please sympathise with me; let me work first. I am the youngest premier in Thai history and I will work with my best efforts,” she said.

Paetongtarn will lead her newly-appointed Cabinet members in a swearing-in ceremony before His Majesty the King on Friday.

After that, she will present her government’s policies to parliament around the middle of this month, as required by the charter, before officially commencing her administration of the country.

She and her Cabinet have been labelled as a "nepo baby" cabinet, as many of the members are children of former and current veteran politicians.

Paetongtarn is the youngest child of Thaksin Shinawatra, the de facto leader of the Pheu Thai Party, who is believed to be the real power behind Pheu Thai’s strategies and decisions.

Paetongtarn became the 31st prime minister of Thailand after winning enough votes in parliament, largely due to her father’s influence and negotiations.

Some Cabinet members, such as the new Deputy Interior Minister Sabeeda Thaised, 39, are children of former politicians.

Sabeeda is the daughter of Chada Thaised, a former deputy interior minister in Srettha Thavisin's government. Chada reportedly nominated his daughter to replace him, due to concerns about his controversial background.

Akkara Prompao, the new deputy minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives, is the younger brother of Thammanat, a former minister of the same ministry.

Akkara, 52, was reportedly nominated due to concerns about Thammanat’s imprisonment in Australia on drug charges.

Asked to comment on her government being branded a dynastic Cabinet, the prime minister responded, “Oh, it is such a harsh word.”

She explained that, while some Cabinet members have family ties to other politicians, many do not.

“I wish to focus on our real determination to do good for the country. Being in a political family is not a bad thing; it should be seen as a motivator,” she said. She asked that people not place undue importance on minor issues.

Criticisms do not discourage her, she said, but they should be based on reason, not emotion.