Thai ruling party claims consensus on PM candidate

Thailand's ruling People's Power Party has reconciled with a renegade faction and agreed to nominate Somchai Wongsawat to become prime minister.
Party spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang said Tuesday a faction of 73 lawmakers dropped their objection to backing Somchai, who became acting prime minister last week after a court forced Samak Sundaravej to step down.
One of the dissidents, Suthin Klangsang, said at a news conference that the breakaway group accepted the party's choice "after a discussion of the party and after listening to Somchai."
The dissidents had claimed picking Somchai would inflame political tensions. Suthin did not explain their change of mind.
Parliament is supposed to vote Wednesday on a new prime minister.