New Thai PM to tackle economy

THAILAND: Thailand's new prime minister promised Wednesday to put together a competent Cabinet to revive the country's economy battered by months of violent anti-government protests.

Abhisit Vejjajiva - the 44-year-old, Oxford-educated opposition leader - was voted by Parliament to be the country's prime minister on Monday. He is the first leader of a civilian government led by an opponent of exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has loomed over Thai politics since he was ousted by a military coup in 2006. "I will do my best to put the right man in the right job," Abhisit told reporters. "I will choose competent individuals to revive the country."

The U.K.-born prime minister faces the difficult task of unifying a country torn apart by months of violent anti-government protests culminating in a siege of Bangkok's two airports -demonstrations that battered the key tourism industry just as the global economy was slipping into crisis.

The economic slowdown could push Thailand's economy into recession, some economists said. The previous government forecast a contraction of up to 1 percent in the first quarter of 2009 and zero growth in the second quarter.

Democrat Party Secretary-General Suthep Thuagsuban said the economic team is likely to be led by Abhisit who has a strong economic background.

BANGKOK, Wednesday, AP