When was abhisit vejjajiva elected

Abhisit said a key priority would be to shore up the faltering export and tourism-driven economy, which took a big hit with the airport closure that economists believe may have helped push the country to the brink of recession. He may not get a chance to prove himself. Abhisit's slender majority may become thinner when byelections to choose 29 new MPs - to replace those sacked by the court ruling that brought down the government - are held on 11 January.

That will leave him even more at the mercy of his minor party supporters. This article is more than 12 years old. Minority Democrats score stunning coup as Thaksin loyalists cross parliament floor to back Oxford-educated Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, the new Thai prime minister. However, that has not shielded his government, or party, from corruption allegations, including claims of a cover-up of illegal donations by a petrochemical firm. But the main chink in the Abhisit armour, apart from the impression that his good looks tend to outshine his sometimes rather bland political pronouncements, has been his failure to win the popular vote. His acceptance of defeat in the July election has done nothing to change that.

Before entering parliament, Mr Abhisit had a brief academic career. Later, he returned to Oxford to study for a Master's degree. He then taught economics at Thammasat University before studying law at Ramkhamhaeng University. Mr Abhisit's family is a circle of accomplished individuals.

One of his two sisters is a professor of child psychology, while the other is a leading Thai author. Mr Abhisit's wife is a dentist-turned-mathematics lecturer at Chulalongkorn University.

They have two children. Abhisit Vejjajiva hails from a wealthy family of Thai-Chinese origin. In May , a military crackdown ended Bangkok protests. Anti-corruption platform. Mr Abhisit opposed the Thai military when it overthrew Thaksin Shinawatra.

In line with his earlier populist views, Abhisit advocates free healthcare, a higher minimum wage, and free education, including textbooks and milk for nursery-school children. In a bid to revive flagging enthusiasm for the Democrats in Bangkok, Abhisit recalled the trauma of April 10, last year, when protesters and authorities engaged in an especially bloody street battle on a Bangkok street that left 25 dead including five soldiers. Published On 30 Jun Policies Abhisit began his political career in when he joined the Democrat Party at age More from News.