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Thailand's Parliament Elects First Woman PM


Thailand's new Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gives a Thai traditional "wai" greeting at parliament in Bangkok, Aug. 5, 2011
Thailand's new Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gives a Thai traditional "wai" greeting at parliament in Bangkok, Aug. 5, 2011

Thailand's parliament elected Yingluck Shinawatra as the country's first female prime minister on Friday, a month after her party won a landslide victory in July 3 elections.

The lower house of parliament voted 296 to three in Ms. Yingluck's favor. Another 197 members abstained.

The 44-year-old, who started her political career in June, is the sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in a bloodless 2006 coup and is now living in self-imposed exile.

Before she can assume power, King Bhumibol Adulyadej must endorse her in a separate ceremony, expected within days.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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