Thailand's parliament has elected a brother-in-law of ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra as the country's new prime minister.
Somchai Wongsawat won a clear majority of parliamentary votes as the six-party ruling coalition held firm.
Political observers say the elevation of the 61-year-old will ensure continued tension with protesters, who accuse the new government of being Mr Thaksin's puppet.
Mr Somchai has been acting prime minister since Samak Sundaravej, whom the People's Alliance for Democracy also accused of being an agent for Mr Thaksin, was sacked by a court last week for hosting TV cooking shows while in office.
The People's Alliance for Democracy movement has vowed to continue its three-week sit-in at the prime minister's official compound.
