Samak Sundaravej, an ally of deposed Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has been elected as Thai's new Prime Minister after winning a majority of votes in parliament.
According to a newsagency tally of televised proceedings.
Samak Sundaravej, a right-winger and staunch royalist, won more than the 241 votes needed to become premier, defeating opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party, a newsagency tally showed.
Samak's People Power Party leads a six-party coalition that controls two thirds of the seats in parliament, after winning the first elections since the September 2006 military-backed coup that ousted Thaksin.
The charismatic but deeply divisive Samak Sundaravej, 72, will become Thailand's 25th prime minister only once King Bhumibol Adulyadej endorses him -- a formality that could take a few days. - DDNEWS
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
