Thaksin In-Law Nominated to Lead Thailand

Choice of husband of ousted PM's sister infuriates protesters

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 15, 2008 8:19 AM CDT

(Newser) – Thailand's ruling party has chosen a brother-in-law of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to step into his old job, Reuters reports, sparking a firestorm among protesters who charge the pick will let Thaksin retain control from exile in London. Somchai Wongsawat has been acting PM since last week, but his accession is not guaranteed, as a rebel faction of 35 MPs said they would not support the party's choice.

[Images (6)]

[Quotes (1)]

Anti-government protesters look at activities on the stage during a demonstration at government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

Anti-government demonstrators offer prayers for Thailand Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008, at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Wason Waintchakorn)

Somchai Wongsawat, acting Thailand's Prime Minister and deputy leader of the ruling People's Power Party, will be nominated to form a new government on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

Somchai Wongsawat, acting Thailand's Prime Minister and deputy leader of the ruling People's Power Party, will be nominated to form a new government on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Anti-government protesters do exercise inside Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, early Monday, Sept. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

An anti-government protester cheers activities on the stage during a demonstration at government house in Bangkok, Thailand, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

We all know who Somchai is. Samak was just a nominee but Somchai is the real actor linked to Thaksin's family. We will not give him the benefit of the doubt or give him a honeymoon period. - Somsak Kosaisuk, leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Thaksin Relative Elected Thai Prime Minister

Protesters vow to reject brother-in-law of exiled leader

(NEWSER) - The No. 2 figure in Thailand's ruling party and the brother-in-law of exiled leader Thaksin Shinawatra was easily elected prime minister today. Somchai Wongsawat will take office after he receives the endorsement of the king. But the People's Alliance for Democracy, whose protest outside the prime minister's office continues, have said they will not accept Somchai or any party member as leader, reports the Bangkok Post. More»

King's Illness Complicates Thai Tensions

Monarch fails to appear as politicians battle for control

(NEWSER) - Politicians in Thailand are squabbling as they seek to form a new government, days after a court barred the prime minister and other leading figures from holding office. But as many Thais looked to their long-serving king for guidance, the revered 81-year-old monarch canceled his traditional birthday speech yesterday, citing ill health. King Bhumibol Adulyadej was reported to be suffering from bronchitis, the LA Times reports. More»

Protesters Will Leave Bangkok Airports

PAD announces end to demonstrations; flights will resume soon

(NEWSER) - Anti-government protesters in Thailand will end their occupation of Bangkok's two airports, allowing stranded tourists to fly home as soon as Thursday. All protests will end tomorrow, the People's Alliance for Democracy announced today, following a decision by the country's constitutional court that dissolved the leading political parties and barred the prime minister and other top politicians from holding office for 5 years. More»

Thai Court Dissolves Ruling Party, Boots PM

Court dissolves ruling parties in fraud case, triggers scramble to form new government

(NEWSER) - A Thai court has ordered the country's ruling coalition parties to be dissolved and Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawt and other leaders immediately banned from politics for five years after finding them guilty of electoral fraud, Reuters reports. Wongsawat has accepted the ruling but it's unclear whether his ouster will be enough to ease tensions in the capital. Anti-government protesters who have occupied Bangkok's two airports for a week erupted in cheers upon hearing the news. More»

Grenade Blast Hurts 46 Thai Protesters

PAD blames pro-government forces, says it's willing to die for cause

(NEWSER) - A grenade blast at the prime minister’s compound in Bangkok has wounded 46 anti-government protesters, at least two critically, Reuters reports. A leader of the party leading the protest blamed pro-government forces for the attack, which comes as demonstrations at the Government House and Bangkok's international airport garner worldwide attention. “If they shoot us, we'll shoot them back," said another party leader. "We will die if that makes the country better." More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Thaksin In-Law Nominated to Lead Thailand