ShoppingNew Thai PM Elected
2008-12-15 15:00
WONG:
Today's top story... Thailand has a new prime minister today. This is the third one in just as many months... but his election isn't being met with open arms. Here's more on the story.
STORY:
Abhisit Vejjajiva becomes Thailand's third Prime Minister in as many months. But already many are asking: how long will he last?
The 44-year-old British-born opposition leader clinched a narrow victory in a special parliamentary vote after days of behind-the-scenes bargaining.
The ballot came two weeks after the constitutional court sacked Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat after finding his People Power Party guilty of fraud during the last election a year ago.
The Oxford-educated economist has made reviving the export-and tourism-reliant economy his top priority as Thailand teeters on the edge of recession.
But the election of a new prime minister is unlikely to heal the country's deep political divisions that exploded into violent street protests and the seizure of Thailand's two main airports earlier this month.
Outside the parliament, angry supporters of the ousted government are a sign of the trouble that lies ahead.
Denouncing the new PM as an army stooge, they barricaded the gates around the compound and tried to stop MPs from leaving.
"He cannot be prime minister for long. Believe me. There will be no peace."
With 29 upcoming by-elections, Abhisit's slender majority could be wiped out in a few weeks time if results go against him, triggering yet another election and plunging Thailand deeper into turmoil.
