British media hails 'Geordie' PM

The British media has paid attention to the election of Thailand's latest prime minister because he was born educated in England. The media ran headlines with the words "Eton educated", "Old Etonian", "Oxford graduate", and "British born" to describe Abhisit.

The Daily Mail said that Thailand's new PM was an Oxford graduate and former classmate of Boris Johnson, the Lord Mayor of London.

Abhisit, 44, was born in Newcastle, where his Thai parents were both professors of medicine. He is a devoted Newcastle United supporter.

Johnson, 44, said: "He was an exact contemporary of mine at school and is a seriously clever fellow. I'm sure he's going to do great things in Thailand."

Journallive website said in its headline that Thailand was now led by a "Geordie", as people from Tyneside in England's northeast are known. It said a Newcastle United-mad Geordie was the man charged with saving Thailand from political turmoil.

And, unlike former British PM and fellow Newcastle fan Tony Blair, he was a genuine local, born and raised on Tyneside. "Mr Vejjajiva once even spoke of his dreams about becoming a striker for United if he had not been involved in politics. But in one interview he admitted: 'If I was not me, I would like to be a Newcastle United striker'."

Andrew Sparrow noted in his Guardian Blog "Old Etonian becomes prime minister" and that Abhisit was a contemporary of Boris Johnson at Eton, "and a year ahead of David Cameron", leader of the opposition Conservative Party.

"I'm sure it's an omen," a Tory spokesman was quoted saying.

The Times Online also noted Thailand now had a "British-born" prime minister.

"With his brilliant mind, impeccable good manners and lovely family, Abhisit Vejjajiva - or 'Mark Vejj' as he is known to his British chums from Eton and Oxford - sounds like an almost painfully decent chap. He would make an ideal best man, a dreamy son-in-law, and a perfect dinner party guest. But how will he fare as prime minister of Thailand, a country lurching from a position as one of the most stable to one of the most chaotic in Southeast Asia?" it said.