PAETONGTARN SHINAWATRA became the 31st prime minister of Thailand on Sunday August 18, two days after the country’s parliament elected her, marking yet another change in the government strongly influenced by the country’s military and royalists.

At 37, she is the youngest prime minister, second woman to hold the post, and third from her family, after her father Thaksin Shinawatra (2001-06) and her aunt Yingluck Shinawatra (2011-14). Both her father and aunt were removed from power by the military and the constitutional court and went to live in exile.

Paetongtarn’s acceptance of the post of the prime minister was backed by almost all members of the royalists and pro-military members of the parliament which could indicate some arrangement between the Pheu Thai, her party, and the military-royalists in the country.