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Published on January 23, 2008

Yongyuth Tiyapairat from the ruling People Power Party was elected as House Speaker yesterday, and by law also serves as Parliament president.

"I will restore and boost understanding among House members," Yongyuth pledged after roundly defeating Democrat MP Banyat Bantadtan 307-167 in a secret vote.

"We all can have different views but we have to place the interest of the country and the people ahead of anything," he said.

MPs Somsak Kiartsuranon and Apiwan Wiriyachai, also from People Power, were elected as first and second deputy speakers.

Chai Chidchob, as the most senior MP from PPP, was selected to chair the first House session to choose the speaker.

Chai is the father of outspoken banned politician Newin Chidchob.

PPP leader Samak Sundaravej said the public should give Yongyuth a chance to prove himself as speaker.

Somsak received 303 votes for first deputy speaker, compared with 170 votes for Democrat MP Kalaya Sophonphanich. One MP abstained. Apiwan won by default because no other candidate ran for second deputy speaker.

Since the Democrats, the sole opposition party, command 164 seats, Banyat's 167 votes mean at least three came from the six-party coalition led by PPP.

Kalaya also had six votes from the coalition.

PPP deputy secretary-general Sukhumpong Ngonkham said MPs had the right to vote for any nominee.

The coalition had no way of knowing who did not back Yongyuth and the other two PPP candidates.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont is expected to ask His Majesty the King to endorse Yongyuth, Somsak and Apiwan as the new House leaders by today.

1st deputy

Somsak Kiartsuranon

People Power Party, 54

Education

lBachelor's degree in engineering from Khon Khan University

lMaster's degree in architecture from Chulalongkorn University

lDoctorate degree in politics from the American University in Washington, USA

Political experience

lSix times MP

lAdviser to the Commerce Minister in 1986

lDeputy House Speaker in 1997.

   In Parliamentary sessions he earned the nickname "Khun Khon Prakasit " (Mister Gavel) as he was fond of using the gavel to control MPs.

2nd deputy

Apiwan Wiriyachai

People Power Party, 50

Education

lDiploma of Science from Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy

lMaster's degree and doctorate in civil engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) Chicago, USA.

Political experience

lAdviser to the industry minister 1993

lAdviser to the Ministry of Transport and Communications 1993-1994

lAdviser to the deputy minister of finance 1995-1996

He was one of nine leaders of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship involved in the rally in front of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda's house on July 22, 2007. He was arrested at the Criminal Court on July 26, 2007.

The Nation