Thai Parliament elects Thailand’s new prime minister

The Thai parliament this morning elected His Excellency Somchai Wongsawat, deputy leader of the People Power Party, as its choice as Thailand’s 26th prime minister.

The Thai parliament this morning elected His Excellency Somchai Wongsawat, deputy leader of the People Power Party, as its choice as Thailand’s 26th prime minister.

The list of proposed new cabinet members will be submitted to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej for royal endorsement, and the new prime minister and his cabinet will be granted a royal audience.

The Emergency Decree was lifted on Sunday morning (September 14, 2008) thereby ending the state of emergency in Bangkok.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government rally is restricted to the designated protest site and the immediate areas. Tourists and expats in Bangkok are advised to avoid traveling to areas near the demonstration site namely #8212, Government House and Ratchadamnoen Nok Road (Makkawan Bridge).

For visitors planning trips to various sites around Rattanakosin Island (Koh Rattanakosin), shuttle boats and river taxis that serve the various public piers along the Chao Phraya River provides fast and convenient transportation to several of these sites.

All other areas in Bangkok remain unaffected by the rally. There has been no significant disruption to life and business in the capital beyond added traffic congestion in a few areas. The vast majority of the city, including all the major tourist spots, shopping centers and riverside attractions, as well as all roads and public/private transport systems are functioning normally. Bangkok’s city taxi and rail services are unaffected.

All hotels and resorts in Bangkok and throughout Thailand are open for business as usual.

Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok’s international airport) and all regional airports around Thailand are operating normally. Rail services in provincial areas of the north and northeastern regions are operating normally. Service has also resumed on most of the rail services to destinations in the south. (Call Center: 1690). Major surface routes between Bangkok and other parts of Thailand are unaffected. Travel to key destinations around Thailand, such as Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Northeastern Thailand (Isan) and other parts of the country, remains unaffected.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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