BANGKOK, Aug 6 – House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranond was called on by the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary to be granted an audience on His Majesty the King’s behalf in order to hand down a royal command appointing Yingluck Shinawatra as Thailand’s newest and first female prime minister.
The command will take place on Monday at 5.30 pm at Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital, according to the Secretariat of the House of Representatives.
The premier-to-be Ms Yingluck on Saturday was staying in her home, while an army of reporters awaited outside for updates of her movements.
The House of Representatives on Friday voted 296-3 for Ms Yingluck, a top-party list Pheu Thai MP and sister of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, to become the country’s new prime minister. One hundred and ninety-seven votes abstained.
The vote in the 500-seat lower chamber of Parliament came a month after Pheu Thai party won a majority in the July 3 election. It formed a six-party coalition controlling some 300 seats in the 500-seat House.
Upon receiving His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s royal endorsement, Ms Yingluck will officially assume her duties and be authorised to present a cabinet line-up for royal approval.
