Thailand's governing coalition in parliament has chosen former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej as the country's new prime minister. Mr. Sundaravej is a close ally of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006. VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from Bangkok.

Last year's coup which ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra some 45 million Thais are eligible to cast their ballots as polls opened at 8 a.m. (0100 GMT), today on Sunday, 23 December 2007, with unofficial results expected by midnight,few expect the country's third election in two years will solve the country's problems.

Scientists and other experts from 120 countries are meeting in Thailand this week to discuss ways to respond to climate change. The same group warned earlier this year that global warming poses a major threat to mankind. Ron Corben reports from Bangkok.

Scotiabank announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire 24.99 per cent of Thanachart Bank, Thailand's eighth-largest bank and leading automobile lender, for Bht7.1 billion (approximately Cdn$240 million). Scotiabank will purchase 157,130,216 shares from Thanachart Capital and 276,263,200 new shares issued by Thanachart Bank at Bht16.37 per share.