Govt won't last long: Pheu Thai

"We will do the opposition's duty at our best. We will give the new PM a chance to rule the country first and not rush to file a no-confidence motion, as the country is too ruined," former People Power Party chief whip Wittaya Buranasiri said after a Pheu Thai meeting.

A source, who asked not to be named, claimed the Democrats were not likely to hold power long as the government must pay for what it had done.

"Things that go round come back round [to harm people who do wrong]," he said, without explaining what the Democrats had actually done to justify negative repercussions.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected as the 27th prime minister yesterday. He beat Pol Gen Pracha Promnok, leader of Pheu Pandin party.

Wittaya praised three veteran politicians: Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong, Pol Gen Pracha, and Gen Chettha Thanajaro, the former Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader. All three voted for Pracha, who was nominated by Pheu Thai Party.

"They are respectable politicians, who keep their words. They are honest with people. It is hard to find such these days," he said.

Snoh, who proposed Pracha to the House as a candidate to be PM, said he had no regrets over his nominee being defeated by Abhisit.

"For me, it's a victory as Pracha and Chettha stood by me to solve the country's problems. I beg all of you to wait and see what will happens to the country after this," he said.

A source, who asked not to be named, said Snoh expected to be an opposition leader as Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit was not an MP.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said Abhisit should explain to the House on the day his government delivers its policy statement how he would "take responsibility" for being a draft dodger and the military's involvement in the formation of his government.

He said his party would not appoint a shadow Cabinet to scrutinise the Democrats' coalition.