61-year-old Somchai Wongsawat has been elected as the new premier of Thailand on Wednesday. Upon his appointment, he said his immediate priorities would be tackling the flood affecting the nation, and Thailand's economy following the financial crisis in the US.

"It's now time for Thailand to unite, to reconcile and to resolve the conflict. Conflict is normal. What we have to do now is to work together to make Thailand a peaceful place again."

Somchai was the education minister and became the acting prime minister after Samak Sundaravej was forced out of office last week.

The arrival of a new prime minister marked a small step forward in Thailand's political turmoil.

But the prospect of Somchai as a brother-in-low of the deposed Thaksin was said unlikely to disperse anti-government protesters who have been camped at the prime minister's official compound since late last month.