Bangkok - Thailand's parliament formally elected the controversial businessman, Mr Thaksin Shinawatra, as the country's new prime minister yesterday, handing him an unprecedented mandate to carry out his populist promises.
"The next four years will be a time of changes, of reforms in all fields, so as to free Thailand from its crisis and build a base for the future of our children," he said after King Bhumibol Adulyadej officially named him prime minister.
Mr Thaksin received 340 of parliament's 500 votes. Four parties voted for him, including his Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) Party which scored a runaway victory in the January 6th general election that swept the government of Chuan Leekpai from power.