New Thai prime minister chosen

Abhisit has said his priorities are restoring the economy and rescuing a $17 billion tourist industry. Last month royalist protesters forced the week-long closure of two airports in Bangkok, defying an enfeebled government that was unable to muster support from the powerful military to restore order. The closures decimated tourist arrivals during the peak season. The protesters, known as the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), left the airports after the court ruling against the government.