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Thaksin Relative Elected Thai Prime Minister

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

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 17, 2008 6:51 AM CDT

(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.

Somchai has secured assurances from the Thai army that they will not lead a coup, as they did in 2006. His victory was assured after he won over a rebel faction in his party, who had been concerned that his family ties to Thaksin would only deepen Thailand's political crisis. "I cannot deny my family ties, but what matters is how I behave," Somchai said.

Thailand's Prime Minister-elect Somchai Wongsawat, center, is surrounded by aides after his meeting with cheering supporters outside Parliament in Bangkok today.
Thailand's Prime Minister-elect Somchai Wongsawat, center, is surrounded by aides after his meeting with cheering supporters outside Parliament in Bangkok today.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
Pro-government supporters gather outside parliament in Bangkok today.
Pro-government supporters gather outside parliament in Bangkok today.   (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
Thailand's Prime Minister-elect Somchai Wongsawat, center, holds a rose received from a supporter outside parliament in Bangkok today.
Thailand's Prime Minister-elect Somchai Wongsawat, center, holds a rose received from a supporter outside parliament in Bangkok today.   (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
Thailand Prime Minister-elect Somchai Wongsawat speaks at parliament in Bangkok, today.
Thailand Prime Minister-elect Somchai Wongsawat speaks at parliament in Bangkok, today.   (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Lawmakers have elected a brother-in-law of exiled leader Thaksin Shinawatra as the new prime minister of Thailand, setting up a showdown with protesters determined to tear down his political legacy.
Lawmakers have elected a brother-in-law of exiled leader Thaksin Shinawatra as the new prime minister of Thailand, setting up a showdown with protesters determined to tear down his political legacy.   (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
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