Thailand's king officially endorsed an ally of ousted premier and Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra as prime minister today.
The appointment paved the way for the first democratically-elected government to take office since the September 2006 coup.
Samak Sundaravej, 72-year-old head of the People's Power Party, was chosen by members of parliament as prime minister yesterday.
Following the king's approval, Mr Samak's six-party coalition will discuss the cabinet line-up, a process which could take up to two weeks, said PPP spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang.