Josh McPake gets a hat-trick as St Johnstone make a flying start
Saints' 16-year stay in the top flight came to an end last season but Simo Valakari's side stated their ambition to bounce straight back with a superb performance at McDiarmid Park.
Patrick Reading fired Thistle into an early lead but their joy proved short-lived as Jamie Gullan levelled and McPake struck twice before the interval.
McPake put the result beyond doubt when he completed his treble early in the second half and Stevie Mallan wrapped up the scoring with a fine free-kick eight minutes from time.
The intriguing clash between Billy Davies' Morton and Neil Lennon's Dunfermline at Cappielow Park ended in a goalless draw.
Former Derby and Nottingham Forest boss Davies, the recently appointed technical head coach of the Greenock club, was in the dugout for the first time in Scottish football since 2001 as manager Dougie Imrie missed the match for personal reasons.
He was unable to get one over former Celtic manager Lennon, whose Pars side had the better of a feisty affair that saw both bosses booked.
Euan Henderson scored twice as Airdrieonians powered back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Ross County at the Albert Bartlett Stadium.
Two headers from corners in each half from Akil Wright had put the visitors on course for what seemed a routine victory.
Henderson began the fightback just after the hour and then equalised from a free-kick 16 minutes from time.
Raith Rovers and Queen's Park also had to settle for a point apiece after their encounter at Stark's Park ended 1-1.
It was a game of two penalties with Michael Ruth netting from the spot for the visitors after 10 minutes and Dylan Easton doing likewise for the hosts nine minutes from time.
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