Minister of Industry Promnok Pracha of Thailand

For the Motherland leader Suwit Khunkitti held a press conference at the party head office Monday to announce that Pracha has been appointed as the party chairman.

Pol Gen Pracha said mental health crisis centres were set up at 17 psychiatric hospitals nationwide to provide counselling services 24 hours a day on telephone number 1323.

region which is also Thaksin's stronghold.

If he has 16 MPs, Pracha has a good chance to win the premiership,\' said Chaturon Chaisaeng, a former politician in the Thaksin government.

If Pracha is prime minister the PAD will be back on the streets and they might threaten to seize the airports again, but we have to show them they cannot dictate Thai politics\' said Chaturon.

show them they cannot dictate Thai politics' said Chaturon.

Pracha had the backing of members of his Puea Paendin Party, the Puea Thai and smaller Phracharaj Party.

Puea Thai and smaller Phracharaj Party.

Abhisit vows to restore economic confidence, if electedRuam Jai Thai Chart Pattana affirms to back AbhisitNACC: Ex-PM Somchai may be involved in Oct 7 violenceThe Puea Thai party insisted its MPs will elect Puea Pandin party leader Pracha Promnok as the 27th prime minister during the extraordinary session of Parliament on Monday.

Mr Paijit said Pol Gen Pracha had accepted the Puea Thai s proposal to nominate him as the new premier during the parliamentary session.

Pol Gen Pracha said he would meet Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong if he was invited.

Pol Gen Pracha was offered the post of prime minister but he declined.