Tough task for new PM

Abhisit elected new prime minister by 235 votes to 198

POST REPORTERS

The Democrat party-led coalition government under prime minister-elect Abhisit Vejjajiva faces a rocky road ahead, even though it has enough support to remain stable.

The new government has the support of 235 MPs, and the rival Puea Thai party only 198, according to voting figures in the House yesterday.

Fresh from his victory, Mr Abhisit said he will try to form a new cabinet by Friday and will deliver his government's policy statement to parliament - a precondition to legalise its administrative power required by the constitution - before the end of this month.

Members of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship hurl stones and bricks at a sedan driven by a Democrat MP for Bangkok Thana Theerawanich as he leaves the parliament grounds. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH

An irate protester smashes a rock into the front windshield of the vehicle. APICHIT JINAKUL

Pithoon Phumhiran, secretary-general of the House of Representatives, said he had submitted the name of the prime minister-elect to His Majesty the King for royal appointment.

Analysts said the Democrat leader will have to work hard to please both his political allies and his own members and at the same time tackle the tough problems that beset the country.

Political scientist Panitan Wattanayagorn of Chulalongkorn University said in the early stages the new administration will not face any major obstacles in running the country.

Mr Abhisit's allies from the former coalition government must stand by the Democrats to the end, as they could no longer return to the fold of the Puea Thai party.

But the Democrat leader might have difficulty controlling some of his own members, who might became disobedient, particularly over economic matters, he said.

This problem had afflicted the party often in the past.

In the longer term, it was not certain Mr Abhisit would be able to bring about national reconciliation, cope with southern violence and political reform. They were very tough tasks, he said.

When Chuan Leekpai was prime minister in 1997, his economic team led by deputy prime minister Supachai Panitchpakdi was at odds with finance minister Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda.

Suriyasai Katasila, a coordinator of the People's Alliance for Democracy, urged the new cabinet to be free of party quotas for ministerial posts.

The prime minister-elect and the Democrat party should keep their feet firmly on the ground and learn the lessons of the previous Thaksin administrations.

Democrat chief whip Sathit Wongnongtoey admitted that the new coalition government "has many limitations".

"If problems arise, we will communicate with the people in a straightforward manner," he said.

Mr Sathit was also optimistic that more MPs would move to the party in the future.

He was confident the Jan 11 by-elections to find replacements for the 29 banned MPs will turn in favour of the Democrat party.

The 29 seats became vacant when the Constitution Court banned the executives of the People Power, Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties and stripped them of their political rights for five years.

Of the seats at stake, 16 are likely to be won by Chart Thai Pattana (the reformed Chart Thai), which would further strengthen the new coalition government, Mr Sathit said.

In the voting in the House yesterday, most members of a faction led by Buri Ram politician Newin Chidchob and the four small parties in the former coalition - Chart Thai Pattana, Ruam Jai Thai Pattana, Puea Pandin and Phum Jai Thai (the reformed Matchimathipataya) - kept their promise and raised their hands in support of Mr Abhisit.

However, a few of their members broke ranks and voted for Puea Pandin leader Pracha Promnok. They included Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro and Surapong Ungampornwilai, a Chart Thai Pattana MP for Pathum Thani.

Democrat MP for Nonthaburi Sombat Sitthikornwong died of heart failure at Mae Nam hospital in Nonthaburi's Pak Kret district about five hours before yesterday's vote. He was pronounced dead about 4am.

When the House meeting began Democrat advisory council deputy chief Banyat Bantadtan nominated Mr Abhisit for the post of prime minister, and Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong nominated Pol Gen Pracha.

More than 20 seats in the opposition Democrat party bloc were taken by MPs from the Friends of Newin camp.

Maj-Gen Sanan Kachornprasart of Chart Thai Pattana also led party members to sit alongside the Democrats.

A source in Puea Thai said former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra telephoned to cheer up members during a party meeting yesterday, after the vote went in favour of the Democrats.

Yaowapa Wongsawat, his younger sister, called Thaksin and switched on the speaker so those present could hear.

"Don't be upset about it. You win some, you lose some. That's normal," Thaksin said.

Following the split in Puea Pandin, members were now putting pressure on Pol Gen Pracha to resign the leadership, a party source said.

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