15 December 2008
I guess all is well in Thailand...
Thai parliament picks new PM
BANGKOK, Thailand (CNN) -- Thailand's parliament chose opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as the country's new prime minister Monday 15 December, drawing angry protests from supporters of the recently dissolved ruling party outside.
About 150 supporters of the former People Power Party, which was tossed from office by a Constitutional Court ruling earlier this month, threw bricks and chunks of pavement at departing vehicles. Police in riot gear struggled to hold back the crowd as they attacked cars leaving the compound.
Bunranaj Smutharak, a spokesman for Abhisit's Democrat Party, said he was unsurprised by the protests.
"It has been known for quite some time that if the incumbent government loses the vote, it will resort to violence," he said. However, he added that the incoming prime minister "needs to send a clear signal of change that he is a leader who will reach out to all."
# posted by Henry @ 9:26 PM 
