THAILAND: Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday handed power to his deputy only hours after he promised to remain in charge until a new parliament was formed.
Mr Thaksin, who is standing down following a snap general election, told a cheering crowd outside his party headquarters that the first deputy prime minister and internal security minister, Chitchai Wannasathit, would take over until parliament chose a permanent replacement. "I have decided that if I have to rest to let the country move forward, I want to rest now," he said. "I have appointed Chitchai to do my work from now on. I need to rest." Mr Chitchai and Mr Thaksin were former colleagues in the police force. Since Mr Chitchai did not run in the election, analysts say that it is unlikely he will become the permanent successor.
Thousands of opponents had camped outside Mr Thaksin's office for months demanding his resignation over corruption allegations. But the outlook for political stability remained uncertain after the three main opposition parties said they would boycott byelections prompted by the winners in 39 seats in the poll on Sunday not winning enough votes to get elected. This makes it unlikely a government will be formed soon because, under Thai law, all seats have to be filled before parliament can be convened.