Thailand will soon have a new coalition government led by a business tycoon joining hands with conservative camps linked to the military.

The Pheu Thai Party's Srettha Thavisin was chosen to become prime minister in a parliamentary vote on Tuesday.

This marks the end of the political limbo that followed a general election in May. But there is some strong opposition to the coalition that includes pro-military parties.

Srettha says he will do his job to the best of his abilities, setting aside fatigue, to uplift the lives of all his fellow Thais.

Pheu Thai had pledged to work for the elimination of military influence in politics. But it decided to forgo that and join with conservatives to reach a majority in Tuesday's vote for prime minister. That led some party members to defect.

Other Thais said they were disappointed with the outcome. A 24-year-old woman says it is not based on the people's will, and is unacceptable, as it is different from what the party said in the election campaign.

Meanwhile, the authorities say former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was transferred to a police hospital early on Wednesday.

He had returned from 15 years of exile the day before, and was sent straight to prison to serve an eight-year sentence for corruption and other charges.

The authorities say the 74-year-old complained he couldn't sleep well, and felt tightness in his chest.

They say he has underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure. So they decided he needed to be in a well-equipped hospital to reduce the risk.

Thaksin is closely associated with Pheu Thai. His return came on the same day the new prime minister was chosen. Speculation has arisen that a deal to pardon him has already been made.