New cabinet will be in place next week : Samak

"I will start working at Government House before February 5, and the cabinet line-up will be finished before the start of Lunar New Year," Samak told reporters.

Parliament elected Samak as prime minister on Monday.

After the vote, Samak went to a fresh market to buy groceries and mingle with the lunchtime crowd.

Declining to say who he would propose to fill the top posts in his cabinet, Samak insisted he would pick a strong economic team.

"The person who will become finance minister is capable, knowledgeable, and professional. He is a party insider, but will be acceptable" to others, Samak said.

One of the top contenders for the finance post is believed to be Surapong Suebwonglee, secretary general of Samak's People Power Party (PPP).