The King of Thailand Bhumibol Adulyadej on Wednesday signed a royal decree to appoint Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as Thailand's 27th prime minister.

Parliament President Chai Chidchob received the royal decree from the King at the royal residence in Hua Hin, the beach resort town some 200 km south to Bangkok.

Abhisit, leader of Democrat Party, was elected Thailand's 27th prime minister after a House voting on Monday, taking place Somchai Wongsawat, who lost his premiership with a court verdict on Dec. 2 that disbanded his People Power Party and banned all executives from politics.

The Democrat Party has been joined with at least four other smaller parties and factions of MPs to form a new coalition government.

The line-up of the Abhisit cabinet is expected to be completed by Thursday, said Democrat Party's secretary-general Suthep Thuagsuban earlier on Wednesday.

(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2008)