The BBC profiles Thailand’s new prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, the English-born, Oxford-educated leader of Thailand’s opposition Democrat Party. Young and photogenic, though not known as particularly dynamic, he has a reputation for “clean politics”. Distinctly upper-class, Mr Abhisit hails from a wealthy family of Thai-Chinese origin. Both his parents were medical professors.

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Profile: Abhisit Vejjajiva

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is the English-born, Oxford-educated 44-year-old leader of Thailand’s Democrat Party.

Young and photogenic, though not known as particularly dynamic, he has a reputation for “clean politics”. Distinctly upper-class, Mr Abhisit hails from a wealthy family of Thai-Chinese origin. Both his parents were medical professors.

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In 1992, Mr Abhisit joined Thailand's oldest party, the Democrats and, at the age of 27, entered parliament as one of its youngest ever members. Having tried and failed to become party leader in 2001, he eventually got the post in 2005.

He was born in the British city of Newcastle in 1964 and educated at England’s top public school, Eton. He then went on to gain a degree in politics, philosophy and economics (PPE) at Oxford University.

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