Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Thai Opposition Leader Takes Office as PM

Abhisit confirmed, but special elections may threaten his majority

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 15, 2008 6:27 AM CST

(Newser) – Abhisit Vejjajiva, the opposition leader of Thailand who lost an election only a year ago, has been confirmed as the country's new prime minister, reports the BBC. The British-born 44-year-old takes power after days of horse-trading among Thailand's political parties, with supporters of the exiled... Read full story »

COMMENTS

Read the comment policy

You need to Log in to Newser to comment. Don't have an account yet? Sign up now!

There are no comments

A snapshot of the day's best news stories.

View Larger Grid

All Today Yesterday Pick a Date

What's Popular Now on Facebook

Miami Face-Eater Identified

Chagas Disease the 'New AIDS of the Americas'

BBC (Source Grid »)

Can Abhisit mend Thailand?
Time

A profile of the young leader
BBC

World

Thailand • Asia • Thaksin Shinawatra • Thai protesters • Somchai Wongsawat • Abhisit Vejjajiva

More Newser Stories

Thais Collect Buckets of Blood—to Hurl in Protest

Red-shirts plan 'blood curse' after election refusal

(NEWSER) - The streets of Bangkok will run red with blood today if things go as planned for anti-government Thai protesters. Volunteers are lining up to help the movement reach its goal of collecting 1,000 liters of blood, which red-shirted protesters plan to hurl at government offices to curse the country's leadership, who have rejected demand for new elections. More»

Thai Protesters Form New Political Party

'Yellow shirts' will contest next election, look to be major force

(NEWSER) - The yellow-shirted protest movement that brought down two Thai governments voted to become a formal political party yesterday, adding a new force to the country's already volatile political system. The People's Alliance for Democracy, which draws support from the country's middle class and is opposed to exiled PM Thaksin Shinawatra, will contest elections next year, reports the Wall Street Journal. More»

Thai Protests Break Up

Thaksin supporters end standoff as troops move in

(NEWSER) - Anti-government protesters have begun to disperse in Bangkok following orders from their leaders, the BBC reports. Thousands of protesters have ended their 3-week siege of the country's seat of government and some protest leaders have surrendered to authorities. After two deaths yesterday, leaders say they urged their followers to leave the area because they feared further bloodshed as troops moved in. More»

Economy Spurs Renewed Thai Protests

20,000 Thaksin supporters march on PM's office

(AP) - More than 20,000 supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra surrounded the Thai prime minister's office today to demand the resignation of the government and new elections. The latest mass protest in Bangkok began shortly after the government of PM Abhisit Vejjajiva began doling out $55 checks to millions of Thais to stimulate an economy battered by the global financial crisis, a move the red-shirted protesters called a buy-off. More»

Protests Return to Bangkok

'Red shirt' demonstrators surround PM's office, demand elections

(NEWSER) - Protests returned to the streets of Bangkok today, Bloomberg reports, as thousands of supporters of the exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra demanded fresh elections. The "red shirt" demonstrators assembled outside the new government's offices but vowed not to occupy it, as the yellow-wearing People's Alliance for Democracy did last year. Abhisit Vejjajiva became PM in December after months of protests culminated in the court-ordered ouster of his predecessor, a Thaksin ally. 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

Thai Opposition Leader Takes Office as PM

Abhisit confirmed, but special elections may threaten his majority

Thailand • Asia • Thaksin Shinawatra • Thai protesters • Somchai Wongsawat • Abhisit Vejjajiva

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Thais Collect Buckets of Blood—to Hurl in Protest

Red-shirts plan 'blood curse' after election refusal

Thai Protesters Form New Political Party

'Yellow shirts' will contest next election, look to be major force

Thai Protests Break Up

Thaksin supporters end standoff as troops move in

Economy Spurs Renewed Thai Protests

20,000 Thaksin supporters march on PM's office

Protests Return to Bangkok

'Red shirt' demonstrators surround PM's office, demand elections

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?