Thaksin confidant named Speaker of Thai Parliament

THAILAND, A confidant of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was named speaker of Thailand's parliament Tuesday, an official said, in the first move by the chamber dominated by the ex-premier's allies.

Yongyut Tiyapairat, from the pro-Thaksin People Power Party (PPP), defeated his rival from the opposition Democrat Party in a 307-167 vote, said Chai Chidchob, who headed the parliament session.

Thaksin's allies in the PPP dominate the parliament after winning 233 of 480 seats in last month's elections and forming a coalition government with five smaller parties.

Thailand's parliament opened on Monday for the first time since the elections which were meant to restore democracy in the wake of a coup in 2006 that ousted Thaksin. Once King Bhumibol Adulyadej signs off on Yongyut's selection - a formality expected to happen within days - he will lead the chamber as it decides on the next prime minister.

The vote for premier is widely expected to take place on Friday.

Yongyut, 47, was instrumental in building Thaksin's support in rural areas, particularly among poor farmers whose support also helped propel the PPP to victory in December 23 elections.

Yongyut was environment minister when the military toppled Thaksin's government in September 2006.

He was detained for 12 days after the coup because he had oversight over thousands of armed forest rangers, which the junta feared could be mobilised in a counter-coup. He was released after the rangers were disarmed.

Bangkok, Tuesday, AFP