King endorses Yingluck as PM

National reconciliation tops new govt's agenda

His Majesty the King yesterday endorsed Yingluck Shinawatra as the country's first female prime minister.

In her first address to the nation after receiving the royal command formalising her premiership, Ms Yingluck vowed her allegiance to the monarchy and pledged to foster national reconciliation.

Her cabinet line-up is expected to be submitted for royal endorsement today.

• See also: Yingluck focuses on cabinet

At 6.40pm yesterday, the secretary-general of the House of Representatives Pitoon Pumhiran brought the royal command to the Pheu Thai Party headquarters in Bangkok.

Mr Pitoon read out the royal command appointing Ms Yingluck as the country's new premier after she was nominated for the top job uncontested on Friday by the majority of members of the House of Representatives.

The royal command, which was countersigned by House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont, was then placed before a portrait of His Majesty the King.

Ms Yingluck, the younger sister of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, knelt and paid respects before the King's portrait as she received the command, to the cheers and applause of a huge crowd of supporters.

Also present were key Pheu Thai members, Shinawatra family members such as Somchai Wongsawat and Ms Yingluck's elder sister Yaowapa Wongsawat, Payap Shinawatra as well as leaders and key coalition party figures.

Ms Yingluck's husband, Anusorn Amornchat, and her son Suppasek, also attended the ceremony.

Speaking in her inauguration speech televised nationwide, Ms Yingluck said the royal command appointing her as prime minister was the highest honour bestowed upon her and her family.

She pledged allegiance to the monarchy and her full commitment towards working in the best interests of the country and the public.

"I would like to thank the public, party members, party MPs and the brothers and sisters who joined in the ideology of democracy in supporting me to become prime minister.

"I regard it as part of my great responsibility to enlist the support and strength of people in all sectors of society to ensure the nation can overcome its problems and win recognition from foreign countries," Ms Yingluck said.

At one point in her speech, Ms Yingluck quoted part of a royal address given by His Majesty the King on Jan 24, 1989 when the King presided over a ceremony to bestow degrees upon graduates at Chiang Mai University. Ms Yingluck also attended the ceremony then as a graduate.

The King's speech had stressed the importance of using wisdom to change oneself and improve one's work efficiency. The King also called on the graduates to be willing to coordinate efforts and work with others to achieve the desired results.

Ms Yingluck said she would use the King's speech as a guideline to help with the work of her government.

She promised that she would do her best to bring about happiness and restore national harmony.

She said she realised being a woman prime minister in such difficult circumstances was a challenge and that many people have high expectations of her.

"But I believe that being a woman will not be an obstacle to my work. I am determined to do my utmost to bring about happiness and to ease suffering,"she said.

Pheu Thai party list-MP Sanoh Thienthong said that the cabinet line-up is expected to be submitted for royal endorsement today.

He said that it is normal that some party members may be left out of the cabinet given the limited number of 35 seats, although this should not cause any rifts in party ranks.

Former prime minister Somchai, Thaksin's brother-in-law, dismissed reports that he and his wife Ms Yaowapa had a hand in choosing the cabinet.

He said the new cabinet members should do their best to win the hearts and minds of the people.

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SPECULATED CABINET LINE-UP

Prime Minister: Yingluck Shinawatra
Deputy prime ministers: Chalerm Yubamrung, Yongyuth Wichaidit, Olarn Chaipravat, Chumpol Silpa-archa, Pol Maj Gen Pracha Promnok, Pol Gen Kowit Wattana
PM's Office Minister: Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisal
Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister: Theera Wongsamut
Commerce Minister: Santi Promphat or Wirun Techapaiboon
Culture Minister: Sukumol Khunpluem
Defence Minister: Adm Sathiraphan Keyanont
Education Minister: Worawat Ua-apinyakul
Energy Minister: Pichai Naripthaphan
Finance Minister: Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala
Foreign Minister: Kittirat Na-Ranong or Vikrom Koompirochana
Industry Minister: Wannarat Channukul Information and Communication Technology Minister: Boonsong Teriyapirom
Interior Minister: Yongyuth Wichaidit
Justice Minister: Chaikasem Nitisiri
Labour Minister: Padermchai Sasomsap or Jarupong Ruangsuwan
Natural Resources and Environment Minister: Preecha Rengsomboonsuk
Public Health Minister: Witthaya Buranasiri
Science and Technology Minister: Kittisak Hatthasongkroh
Social Development and Human Security Minister: Capt Anudith Nakornthap
Tourism and Sports Minister: Chumpol Silpaarcha
Transport Minister: ACM Sukampol Suwannathat