BANGKOK - Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has appointed Paetongtarn Shinawatra as the country's prime minister, Secretary-General of the House of Representatives Arpath Sukhanunth announced on Sunday.

In a ceremony held on Sunday morning at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters, Arpath delivered the royal command stating that Paetongtarn has been appointed premier as she received majority support in the parliamentary vote on Aug 16.

The royal endorsement paves the way for a cabinet formation as the 37-year-old officially assumes office as the youngest and second female prime minister in the Southeast Asian nation.

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In her first official speech as prime minister, Paetongtarn said she will collaborate with the legislative branch during the remaining three years of the parliamentary term and create space to listen to every opinion with the goal of propelling Thailand forward with unwavering determination.

"My hope is to harmonize the strengths of all generations, uniting individuals from all corners of Thailand, whether they serve in the government, belong to political parties, work in the private sector, or are fellow citizens," Paetongtarn said in the nationally televised ceremony.

"I accept this responsibility with the utmost dedication and will make Thailand a land of opportunity and happiness, where every citizen stands on equal ground."

In her later address to the media, Paetongtarn expected the government to remain cohesive and would carry on the policies put in place during the previous administration under then Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.

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She emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong and enduring relationship between Thailand and China, noting, "We hope to do more with China."

More specific details about policies will be revealed in September, which aligns with the government's plan to address its policy statement to the parliament, she added.

Paetongtarn, the youngest daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, entered politics in 2021 as Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Participation and Innovation of the Pheu Thai Party. She was a leading prime ministerial candidate of the Pheu Thai Party in last year's general election and later became the party's leader.

Royal pardon

Meanwhile, Thaksin has been included in a royal pardon to end his jail term earlier than scheduled, his lawyer Winyat Chatmontree said on Saturday.

Winyat made the confirmation following an earlier issued Royal Gazette, which announced that three categories of prisoners will be pardoned on the occasion of King Maha Vajiralongkorn's 72nd birthday anniversary.

The royal pardon took effect on Sunday, allowing Thaksin, who is currently on parole, to be free two weeks earlier than the scheduled date.

Winyat added that the former prime minister will receive a certificate from the prison assuring his freedom.

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The 74-year-old former prime minister returned to Thailand from self-exile last year and was previously convicted of multiple charges. He was released on parole in February from a police hospital in Bangkok, where he spent six months serving a one-year prison sentence.

Thaksin served as the Southeast Asian country's prime minister from 2001 to 2006 and had been in self-exile abroad since 2008.