Thailand ? Known as a conciliator, Thailand’s new prime minister contrasts sharply with his combative predecessor. But he also carries some heavy political baggage because of his ties to a disgraced former leader.

Somchai Wongsawat, the 61-year-old former judge selected Wednesday as the country’s 26th prime minister, is the brother-in-law of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the main target of anti-government protesters who have occupied the official government compound for three weeks.

The soft-spoken and bespectacled Somchai showed his determination to mend political rifts by quickly shaking hands with the opposition leader after his election by Parliament.

“It is now time for Thailand to unite, to reconcile and to solve the conflict,” he said. “It is not unusual to be angry, but we have to work together to make Thailand peaceful again.”

But the words did not appease anti-government protesters, who helped topple his predecessor, Samak Sundaravej.