15 December 2008

Parliament elects Democrat leader Abhisit as prime minister

After the Constitutional Court disbanded the People Power Party, ending Somchai Wongsawat’s term as prime minister, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, 44, became Thailand’s youngest ever prime minister.

On December 2, the Constitutional Court found the governing People Power Party guilty of fraud in the 2007 elections, disqualifying Somchai from office. Leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, satisfied with the ruling, ordered their supporters to leave Suvarnabhumi Airport they had occupied in protest of the government.

The ruling set the stage for UK-born, Eton- and Oxford-educated Abhisit to take the premiership. His accession was possible because Newin Chidchob, head of the influential Friends of Newin’ faction and ex-right-hand man of self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, broke with his former boss to support a Democrat-led government, following alleged behind-the-scenes moves.

Abhisit began his political career in 1992; as a Bangkok MP for the Democrats. He quickly rose through the ranks, assuming the post of party spokesman. He became Democrat Party leader in 2005.

15 December 2008

Parliament elects Democrat leader Abhisit as prime minister

After the Constitutional Court disbanded the People Power Party, ending Somchai Wongsawat’s term as prime minister, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, 44, became Thailand’s youngest ever prime minister.

On December 2, the Constitutional Court found the governing People Power Party guilty of fraud in the 2007 elections, disqualifying Somchai from office. Leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, satisfied with the ruling, ordered their supporters to leave Suvarnabhumi Airport they had occupied in protest of the government.

The ruling set the stage for UK-born, Eton- and Oxford-educated Abhisit to take the premiership. His accession was possible because Newin Chidchob, head of the influential Friends of Newin’ faction and ex-right-hand man of self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, broke with his former boss to support a Democrat-led government, following alleged behind-the-scenes moves.

Abhisit began his political career in 1992; as a Bangkok MP for the Democrats. He quickly rose through the ranks, assuming the post of party spokesman. He became Democrat Party leader in 2005.