Thai parliament backs Thaksin ally as new prime minister
Monday, 28 Jan 2008 12:08
Samak Sundaravej is set to be confirmed as Thailand's new PM
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Samak Sundaravej has won a parliamentary vote making him Thailand's new prime minister.
The 72-year-old is seen as being a political ally of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was forced out of office in a military coup in September 2006.
Mr Thaksin was barred from public office for five years and his Thai Rak Thai party was permanently disbanded.
But Mr Samak's People Power party (PPP) won the first democratic elections since the coup in December, heightening the risk that the new government will be similarly overturned.
Today 310 members of the Thai parliament backed the 72-year-old's candidacy compared to 163 votes for opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Mr Samak made clear he would not be celebrating the victory, saying his life would continue as normal.
"From now on, I have many more responsibilities on my shoulders. It won't be fun but I have to accept them," the Bangkok Post newspaper quoted him as saying.
Analysts say his fate may depend on the extent to which he lobbies royal advisors on overturning Mr Thaksin's ban.
King Bhumibol Adulyadej is expected to confirm the appointment in the next few days, after which Mr Samak will name his cabinet.
"There are so many problems which the new prime minister needs to address without delay," Mr Abhisit, now leader of the opposition, told the Bangkok Post.