Thailand's parliament has chosen a close ally of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra as its new Prime Minister.
Samak Sondoraweh, who leads the People Power Party had been widely tipped to succeed Thaksin, who was ousted in a September 2006 coup.
On the face of it the appointment of a Prime Minister should be seen as a confidence boosting step in Thailand following the 2006 coup, but some believe the choice of Samak will actually further divide the country.
