BANGKOK, (Thailand): Thailand's political crisis may have come to a head with the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, but the weeks ahead promise further turmoil.
One day after claiming victory in a snap election that was boycotted by opposition parties over corruption claims, Thaksin promised to step down after meeting with the deeply revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Tuesday.
As protesters celebrated his unexpected announcement, the telecom magnate who called himself a "CEO prime minister" and said he could change Thailand by running it like a company, has named two potential successors, both from his Thai Rak Thai party.
Although official results are still not confirmed, Thaksin's party is expected to hold a majority when the new parliament convenes in early May and as such will be empowered to name the next prime minister.
The 56-year-old self-made billionaire says he will stay on as a caretaker leader until that time, but opposition forces have said the massive street protests of recent weeks will continue if he is not gone before the end of April.
Sondhi Limthongkul, a former Thaksin crony who spearheaded the drive to remove him, said protests would stop for the time being "in honor of the king," AP reports.
But he added that demonstrators were not fully satisfied with the resignation because any new prime minister might just become a proxy for Thaksin.
Thaksin has dominated the political scene like few leaders before him in Thailand. He was the first elected Thai leader to serve out a full term in office, and despite simmering allegations of mismanagement and corruptions, was re-elected last year by a landslide.
On Monday, Thaksin named two possible replacements should he stand aside: Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, and Bhokin Bhalakula, a former House Speaker who is his top legal expert.
Somkid, 52, has served in Thaksin's governments at various times as finance minister, deputy prime minister and commerce minister, The Associated Press reports.
He has long been entrusted with directing economic policy for Thaksin, and would reassure the country's business community, which has been put on edge by the political tension of the past few months, AP reports.
However, he suffers from health problems -- he recently had angioplasty to help his circulation -- and may not want the job.
Bhokin Bhalakula, 54, has been Thaksin's top legal adviser and was deeply involved in the prime minister's battle strategy to hold on to his post over the past few months, AP reports.
Those activities earned him many enemies, which could make it difficult for him to assume the prime minister's post.
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