The move follows the dismissal of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin by court order for ethics violations the day before.
Leaders of the 11-party coalition led by Paetongtarn's populist Pheu Thai Party expressed their support for him at a press conference Thursday.
Paetongtarn thanked his party and coalition partners for their support. “Of course, we are gathered here now to show the people that we are firm, we are determined, we are together pushing this country forward,” he said.
He asked the public to be patient with the current ruling coalition.
“Our work in the coalition, since we came in, each of us has our own way of communicating, our own way of working which I believe is up to standard. So, wait a little bit for the work of former Prime Minister Srettha to bear fruit, we are almost one year (of his government) – now is the time,” he explained.
If Paetongtarn wins approval in a parliamentary vote, scheduled for Friday (Aug. 16), she will become Thailand's second female prime minister, and the third leader of the Shinawatra family, after her father and aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra.
When asked if his father, Thaksin, would help him if he was elected prime minister, he replied, “He always gives me advice in many things that I do.”
“In our family, we always push each other and yes, he would always have advice for me when I consulted him,” he added.
He is likely to be elected on Friday, given the support already announced by his party's coalition partners, which together have enough seats to win a majority in a parliamentary vote.
Regardless, its popularity among the public is uncertain.
A national poll in late June showed his performance was liked by less than five percent of respondents. (rd/jm)
