Reconciliation immediately started

He thanked all the MPs who showed up promptly and voted during the session. He vowed to do his best, then he continued showing his soft stance by greeting contestant Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. The Opposition also welcomed him in a friendly manner.

Somchai went on to thank the coalition parties' leaders starting with Chart Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa.

With no anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters rallying outside Parliament, Somchai's supporters stayed outside. They did not wear only red as usual, but came in various colours which signalled they were trying to reconcile.

The mood in the parliamentary session to select a new prime minister yesterday was quite different to that on Friday. The MPs seemed to be prepared to enter the chamber and vote for the candidate they had decided upon.

After People Power Party deputy leader Sompong Amornwiwat put forward the name of Somchai, the meeting went ahead smoothly.

Among the 466 MPs joining the session, 298 MPs, all from the coalition parties, voted for Somchai. Meanwhile, all 163 Democrat MPs voted for their leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Five, including Somchai and Abhisit, House Speaker Chai Chidchob and his deputies abstained.

Former prime minister Samak Sundaravej, who is still an MP, could not make it in time. Despite doubts about whether he was intentionally late, Samak seemed more relaxed than when he was premier, and he would not have to fight with the media any more.

Things went so smoothly that observers can't be sure if there are waves under the gentle surface or if there are storms to come. What happened might be just the beginning - politicians have never lacked strategies or hidden agendas.

A push for Samak's second term was made even though there was heavy resistance in the background. Samak's later withdrawal could have been planned with the intention to show that the PPP could yield to others. Since coalition parties' MPs boycotted the meeting on Friday, negotiations have been made, especially among the PPP MPs.

Although the "Friends of Newin" faction changed their minds and voted for Somchai, the Cabinet line-up has not been announced. Negotiations for more ministerial quotas for the coalition parties have also been reported.

At the same time, the PAD insisted it would maintain opposition against Somchai, saying he was just another leader from the PPP. The group is prepared to occupy Government House longer.

With pressure both inside and outside his party, Somchai needs to work hard to show his sincerity and determination to reconcile the country. It is the only way his government can survive until the end of its term.