Lawmakers elect Thailand's first female PM

Thailand’s Members of Parliament have elected Yingluck Shinawatra as prime minister, making the 44-year-old sister of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra the country's first female leader. 

In the Friday morning vote, Yingluck received 296 "yes" votes and three "no" votes, while 197 MPs abstained. 

Before Yingluck can officially assume the title, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej must endorse her in a separate ceremony, which media reports say is expected to take place in the next few days.

The vote comes a month after Yingluck’s Pheu Thai party won a landslide victory in Thailand’s July 3 elections, paving the way for her to become the country's 28th prime minister. According to The Nation, she's also the world's youngest female ever elected to the post. 

Inevitably, nearly just as much is being said about Yingluck’s appearance as her qualifications to lead the country. 

Last month, Nok Airways chief executive Patee Sarasin raised brows in Sydney, reportedly telling a group of Aussies “compared to your prime minister, [Yingluck] is much better looking."

Meanwhile, an article on Todayonline.com posted Friday morning asks, “How far can Yingluck’s beauty premium get her?” 

Given that Thailand has been through five other prime ministers since Thaksin was ousted, it might actually be a valid question.