Parliament restored civilian leadership to the country on Monday, electing People Power party leader Samak Sundaravej as prime minister as expected.
Samak won 310 votes, defeating opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party who won 163 votes, all from the opposition, speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat said.
"Samak received a majority of the votes in this chamber, which means that parliament has elected Samak as prime minister," Yongyut said.
A charismatic yet deeply divisive figure, he will take office and form his cabinet once His Majesty the King gives royal assent, a process which normally takes a few days.
Samak, who overcame doubts about his record and his gruff manner by openly campaigning as Thaksin's proxy, was first elected to parliament in 1975 and has held top cabinet posts under civilian and military governments.
He was a popular elected leader of Bangkok from 2000 to 2004, even though he is saddled with heavy political baggage from his alleged links to bloody crackdowns on pro-democracy protesters in 1976 and 1992.
Samak remains under investigation for corruption over a purchase of fire trucks for Bangkok during his time as governor, a post equivalent to mayor.
As voting got underway in parliament, he promised to reporters that he would not celebrate his victory but would continue to lead a normal life in his new office.
"I will still go to the market to buy groceries before returning home to cook and share meals with my wife. There will be no celebration. I will continue with my normal life," he said.
Although he is known for fiery outbursts during press conferences, he also hosts television talk shows and a cooking programme that draws viewers in with his folksy style.
However many voters, especially in Bangkok, are turned off by his abrasive demeanour. A survey released Monday found that only 44 percent of Thais support Samak as prime minister.
The selection of Samak, a veteran politician in his own right, effectively capped a stunning political turnaround for Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled by the military in September 2006 and since then has been living in self-imposed exile. (BangkokPost.com, Agencies)
Discuss
Add this link to...
Tell a friend
Bury
Samak won 310 votes, defeating opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party who won 163 votes, all from the opposition, speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat said.
"Samak received a majority of the votes in this chamber, which means that parliament has elected Samak as prime minister," Yongyut said.
A charismatic yet deeply divisive figure, he will take office and form his cabinet once His Majesty the King gives royal assent, a process which normally takes a few days.
Samak, who overcame doubts about his record and his gruff manner by openly campaigning as Thaksin's proxy, was first elected to parliament in 1975 and has held top cabinet posts under civilian and military governments.
He was a popular elected leader of Bangkok from 2000 to 2004, even though he is saddled with heavy political baggage from his alleged links to bloody crackdowns on pro-democracy protesters in 1976 and 1992.
Samak remains under investigation for corruption over a purchase of fire trucks for Bangkok during his time as governor, a post equivalent to mayor.
As voting got underway in parliament, he promised to reporters that he would not celebrate his victory but would continue to lead a normal life in his new office.
"I will still go to the market to buy groceries before returning home to cook and share meals with my wife. There will be no celebration. I will continue with my normal life," he said.
Although he is known for fiery outbursts during press conferences, he also hosts television talk shows and a cooking programme that draws viewers in with his folksy style.
However many voters, especially in Bangkok, are turned off by his abrasive demeanour. A survey released Monday found that only 44 percent of Thais support Samak as prime minister.
The selection of Samak, a veteran politician in his own right, effectively capped a stunning political turnaround for Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled by the military in September 2006 and since then has been living in self-imposed exile. (BangkokPost.com, Agencies)
Discuss
Add this link to...
Tell a friend
Bury
ThailandBuzz is a web application that allows you to submit an article that will be reviewed by all and will be promoted, based on popularity, to the main page
abhisit vejjajiva
anupong paojinda
ayutthaya
bangkok
bangkok governor
bank of thailand
chamlong srimuang
chart thai
chiang mai
corruption
don mueang airport
galyani vadhana
government house
narathiwat
noppadon pattama
pad
pattani
people power party
people's alliance for democracy
phuket
ppp
preah vihear temple
princess galyani vadhana
samak
samak sundaravej
somchai
somchai wongsawat
stock exchange of thailand
suvarnabhumi airport
thai airways
thai boxers
thai politics
thai society
thailand
thais
thaksin
thaksin shinawatra
tot
yala
yongyuth tiyapairat
ไทยแลนด์บัซซ์ เวอร์ชั่นภาษาไทย
Comments