ASIA/THAILAND - New Prime Minister of Thailand elected

Bangkok (Agenzia Fides) - Somchai Wongsawat, brother-in-law of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was elected as the 26th prime minister of Thailand, following the Parliamentary vote on September 17.
Somchai, who is Vice-President of the People’s Power Party (PPP), won 298 votes, while 163 votes went to his opponent, Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democratic Party. Somchai is married to Yaowapa, Thaksin’s younger sister.
There is hope now that the political crisis that has been affecting the country for months can be resolved and that led to the impeachment of Samak Sundaravej after a Supreme Court ruling and extended protests in many cities throughout the country (see Fides 10/9/2008).
According to observers, Somchai has a “strong and gentile” character, with a great capacity for dialogue and diplomacy. With these characteristics, he will be perfect for negotiating and working out the social and political tensions affecting the nation and setting back the economy.
Somchai is an experienced politician. He has served as Minister of Justice and Labor in previous administrations.
In his initial statements, the new Prime Minister called for national reconciliation in order to end the political crisis that began in 2006, when Thaksin was exiled, following a coups.
However, the initial reactions of the People’s Alliance for Democracy have not been positive. They have expressed their disapproval and have announced that they will continue with the “sit-in” that they have been carrying out for three weeks in the Government House. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/9/2008)