Thai king signs royal command appointing Somchai new PM

BANGKOK, Sept 18 (TNA) - King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday signed a
royal command appointing Somchai Wongsawat as Thailand's 26th prime
minister.

The royal command was given while Parliament President Chai Chidchob had
an audience with the revered king at his palace in Hua Hin early Thursday.

The 61-year-old prime minister who is a native of the southern province of
Nakhon Si Thammarat paid respect to the portrait of His Majesty the King
after the royal command was read out at his residence on the outskirts of
Bangkok.

He later told a press conference succinctly that he would perform his
duties with honesty, diligence and follow the rule of law in order to
create fairness in the country.

Mr. Somchai, brother-in-law of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra,
said further that differences of opinions is a common thing but "our
brotherhood is very important and that we should adopt (a spirit of)
reconciliation and show mercy to each other".

He was referring to protesters loyal to the anti-government People's
Alliance for Democracy who have occupied Government House in central
Bangkok since August 26 without any sign of leaving soon.

Thailand is facing economic problems as only a small amount of foreign
capital inflows has entered the country and "only Thai people could solve
the problem. Everybody is a partner," he said, adding that the problem
could not be solved easily if there's no unity among the people in the
country.

Mr. Somchai is scheduled to present his list of cabinet ministers to the
King for royal approval next Monday. He is due to present his government's
policy to the House on September 25 before his government could start
working officially. (TNA)