The international community has sent messages of congratulations to Paetongtarn Shinawatra on her appointment as Thailand’s 31st PM.
Thai PBS World reports that messages have come in from the leaders of neighbouring countries, as well as further afield. Anthony Blinken, US Secretary of State sent his congratulations, saying the US looks forward to working with the new PM to strengthen the US-Thai relationship.
“The US looks forward to continued close collaboration with Paetongtarn and her government to advance shared values and common interests in a free, open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.”
His message was echoed by Robert Godec, US Ambassador to Thailand, who used the new PM’s nickname in a post on the US Embassy’s X account.
“I look forward to working with Ing Shinawatra and her government to continue building the close friendship and partnership between our nations.”
The leaders of Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and India have all sent congratulatory messages to Paetongtarn, with Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong saying he’s confident the relationship between both countries will continue to flourish.
Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim posted his congratulations on Facebook, acknowledging Paetongtarn as the youngest person ever to become Thai leader and the second woman to do so. He added that the close neighbours enjoy a long-lasting partnership, built on historical, cultural, and economic ties, and that he intends to work closely with Paetongtarn.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo used his X account to congratulate the new PM on her appointment, saying he’s confident that under her capable leadership, Indonesian and Thai relations will continue to become stronger.
Meanwhile, it’s understood that Vietnamese PM, Pham Minh Chinh, sent a letter of congratulations to the new Thai leader, while Indian PM, Shri Narendra Modi, has also congratulated Paetongtarn, expressing his hope that her appointment will further strengthen ties between India and Thailand.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World
