Thai talks to decide new cabinet

Mr Abhisit was greeted by supporters on Tuesday, but not all welcome him

Negotiations are under way to choose a new cabinet in Thailand, reports say.

The man set to become the new prime minister, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, is reported to be in talks with his party's coalition partners.

Hundreds of police were dispatched to the party's headquarters as angry supporters of the former government gathered for more protests.

Mr Abhisit's appointment by parliament on Monday marked another development in Thailand's extended political crisis.

The vote took place after a court ordered that the previous ruling party, the People's Power Party (PPP), should be disbanded for electoral irregularities.

Paralysing airport protests by opponents of the PPP were defused as a result of the court verdict.

Supporters of the ousted former government - seen by many to have been close to former, now exiled, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - have been enraged by the turn of events.

Analysts say reconciling the differences between Thailand's opposed political factions remains a formidable challenge for the new prime minister, whose appointment still needs to to be officially approved by the Thai king.

Economic challenge

One of the challenges awaiting Mr Abhisit will be reviving Thailand's economy - battered by the political crisis and protests, as well as the global economic downturn.

Police remain on guard for violent protests

"Abhisit will oversee the economic team because this government gives priority to economic matters," the party's secretary general Suthep Tuagsuban told reporters, according to AFP news agency.

A leading candidate to be finance minister in the new cabinet, Korn Chatikavanij, warned that Thailand faced bigger economic problems now than during the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

He said the division of cabinet posts between coalition partners was also being negotiated.

Meanwhile about 300 police stood guard outside the party headquarters, where the talks are taking place, as dozens of red-shirted supporters of the former government gathered to condemn its ejection from office.

There were clashes between police and protesters outside parliament on Monday.