Somchai blazing a trail

First of all, he is the first prime minister to start his term with no access to the Prime Minister's Office since Government House has been occupied by the powerful People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) since last month, long before he took the position. Instead, he becomes the first Thai prime minister to need to renovate space at Don Muang airport to serve as his working quarters. Somchai told reporters after inspecting the airport that the prime minister's chair was quite firm, suggesting his premiership would be just as solid as his seat.

The PAD hasn't shown any willingness to leave the seat of government soon. If Somchai ends up leaving his position within two months, as several political gurus have predicted, he would set another record by becoming the first prime minister never to set foot in the Thai Ku Fah building.

Second, he is the first southern native to serve as prime minister with no support from the Democrat Party, which has a major stronghold in that region. However, the Democrat Party's secretary-general, Suthep Thaugsuban, said he personally endorsed Somchai as prime minister since he is a southern native from Nakhon Si Thammarat, which is close to Suthep's base in Surat Thani. Locals in Nakhon Si Thammarat also approve of Somchai taking over, even though he doesn't represent their beloved Democrats.

Third, Somchai achieved a rare feat by rising to the government's top job despite only being a deputy leader of a party. Traditionally, the leader of the political party that wins the majority of the Lower House would be prime minister. Somchai took the position after the former prime minister and leader of the People Power Party Samak Sundaravej was disqualified for receiving payments for his cooking shows. Samak retains the status of People Power Party leader and it remains unclear whether he will step down from that position.

Fourth, Somchai achieved a record in Thai politics by having the shortest career as an MP before climbing to the top of the political ladder. Most Thai prime ministers of democratic governments have been seasoned politicians who served a long time in the House before rising to the premiership.

Fifth, Somchai is the first Thai prime minister whose first lady is barred from holding political office. Yaowapa Wongsawat is among the 111 executives of the defunct Thai Rak Thai party currently banned from politics.