By Kenny Teng Khoon Hock
BANGKOK, Aug 18 (Bernama) – World leaders have congratulated Thailand’s new Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on her appointment, extending their best wishes and expressing hope of strengthening diplomatic relations.
India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Paetongtarn, expressing his best wishes for a successful tenure.
"Look forward to working with you to further strengthen the bilateral ties between India and Thailand, which are based on the strong foundation of civilisational, cultural and people-to-people connect," he said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, United Arab Emirates leaders have also sent messages of congratulations to Paetongtarn.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president, prime minister and ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, vice president, deputy prime minister and chairman of the Presidential Court, have sent congratulatory messages to Paetongtarn, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also congratulated Paetongtarn and expressed his eagerness to collaborate with his Thai counterpart to fully leverage Malaysia and Thailand’s bilateral relations.
“Heartiest congratulations to Khun Paetongtarn Shinawatra on her election as prime minister of Thailand, making history as the youngest-ever Thai prime minister and the second woman to hold this esteemed office.
“As close neighbours, Malaysia and Thailand share a vital and enduring partnership, forged on longstanding historical, cultural and economic links, as well as deep-rooted kinship.
“The common pursuit of peace and development in southern Thailand offers profound benefits for communities on both sides of our border. I look forward to working closely with Prime Minister Paetongtarn to unlock the full potential of our bilateral relationship,” said Anwar in his Facebook post on Sunday.
Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong congratulated Paetongtarn, expressing his confidence that the friendship between Singapore and Thailand will continue to flourish.
“SG (Singapore) & Thailand share longstanding & multi-faceted relations — built by generations of leaders over the years. I am confident that this friendship will continue to flourish in the years ahead,” he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet also extended his heartfelt congratulations to Paetongtarn.
“This stands as a testament to the trust and confidence the Thai people have in your leadership.
“Sharing a long history of cultural ties and mutual respect, Cambodia and Thailand cherish the longstanding bilateral relations and close cooperation which have brought tangible benefits to our peoples. I firmly believe that, under your leadership, we will continue to enhance our strategic partnership.
“In this spirit, I am looking forward to working closely with you to further advance our relations and cooperation for the mutual benefit of our two countries and peoples, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond,” he wrote in a letter released by his office on Friday.
Meanwhile, United States ambassador to Thailand, Robert F. Godec, congratulated Paetongtarn on behalf of the US.
"I look forward to working with @ingshin (Paetongtarn) and her government to continue to build the close friendship and partnership of Thailand-US," he wrote on X.
French ambassador to Thailand, Jean-Claude Poimboeuf, also extended his congratulations to Paetongtarn and expressed his eagerness to work with her, building on recent high-level contacts between Thailand and France.
Paetongtarn, 37, the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, received King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s written royal command at a ceremony held at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters on Sunday morning, two days after being elected by Parliament.
The country’s 31st prime minister, succeeded Srettha Thavisin, who was removed from office by the Constitutional Court on Wednesday (Aug 14).
-- BERNAMA
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