Thailand: 'This time, things will be different'

After six prime ministers in six years of sometimes bloody political upheaval, Thais might be excused for shrugging their shoulders about number seven.

But this time there's one big difference. The new prime minister will be female, the first woman to hold the position in Thailand.

Some Thais, especially females, see Yingluck Shinawatra's victory as a big step forward for women in a country where they have struggled for equal representation.

"I've always wanted to have the first lady prime minister," said Areerak Saelim, 42-year-old owner of a sunglass shop in a Bangkok market.

"I've seen too many men failing to run the country. Maybe this time, things will be different. What women are - and men aren't -is meticulous . I'm pretty sure she can do the job based on her age and successful career."

But some wondered whether she was her own woman.

"It's obvious who she represents ," said Puttasa Karnsakulton, a 37-year-old clothing shop owner, referring to her exiled brother.

Siriphan Noksuan, associate professor at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Science, said: "People know she's a political novice. But they also trust that she will have an army of pundits and economic advisers."