Thaksin relative becomes Thai PM

SOMCHAI Wongsawat, brother-in-law to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, won a majority of votes in Parliament today to become Thailand's next prime minister.

It came a week after former prime minister Samak Sundaravej was stripped of office by a court that found he had illegally accepted payments for hosting TV cooking programs.

Mr Somchai will not take office until he is endorsed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a process that could take several days.

However, anti-government protesters who have occupied the grounds of the prime minister's offices for three weeks have already vowed to continue their rally to force Mr Somchai from power.