The 37-year-old daughter of billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra became Thailand's prime minister on Friday, who is the third member of the influential but divisive clan to lead the country.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is the youngest leader in Thailand's history as a constitutional monarchy and the second woman premier after her aunt Yingluck, assumed office after two court rulings that threw the kingdom's politics into turmoil.

Reports have it that she hopes to avoid the fate of her father and aunt, both of whom were ousted as PM by the army during a two-decade power struggle between Thaksin and the kingdom's conservative pro-military.

House of Representatives Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha said on live TV that lawmakers approved Paetongtarn of the Pheu Thai party as premier by 319 votes to 145. 

Addressing reporters, Paetongtarn said she was "very honored and happy, as she expressed hope that she would make people feel confident, improve the quality of life and empower all Thais.

She further revealed that it was time to do something for the country and the party, hoping that she could do her best to make the country move forward.

Paetongtarn's elevation to the top job came about after the kingdom's Constitutional Court sacked previous premier Srettha Thavisin for appointing a cabinet minister with a criminal conviction.