PM Samak Found Guilty: Must Resign

[BUCKY]

Banharn tipped as next PM if Samak disqualified
By The Nation

Yipee! We need more Banharn clock towers!

[Khun Don]

Now what?

Ah there you are-sudden thread merge!

Umm-#16 above, I guess-sorry, I am stunned by the verdict-I thought he would get away with it.

Found this-hope it answers the question to some extent!

[Khun Don]

Court says Thai PM 'must resign'



Mr Samak was a TV chef before becoming prime minister

Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has been ordered to resign after being found guilty of violating the constitution over a TV cookery show.
His entire cabinet has also been ordered to step down.

Mr Samak was found to have violated a ban on ministers having outside interests by taking money from a private company to host a TV show.
However, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) has vowed to re-appoint Mr Samak as prime minister.

The BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok says it is unclear what happens next.
Mr Samak has not been banned from standing again for prime minister, and it will be 30 days before the court's decision comes into effect.
Thailand has had its fair share of crises recently, but this is one that even the Thais are baffled by, our correspondent says.

BBC News

[Khun Don]

Why was Samak disqualified?
By The Nation

The Constitution Court on Tuesday reached an unanimous decision of 9-0 to disqualify Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on grounds for conflict of interest relating to his involvement in two cooking shows.

The high court ruled that Samak lost his job by an individual offence, hence although his Cabinet would face a mandatory removal, it could act as the caretaker administration pending the formation of a new government.

Of the nine presiding judges, six said Samak's involvement as honourary show host has constituted a status as an employee of programme producer, Face Media Co.

Three said his involvement could be interpreted as a business partner.

The nine judges cited the intent of Article 267 of the 2007 Constitution for preempting Cabinet members, including the prime minister, from committing a conflict of interest.

Under the provision, the legal definition of being employed or the status of employee is broader than that specified in the Civil Code and relevant labour laws.

Evidence showed that Samak continued to host the two shows after he assumed office in February. Furthermore he received allowances, such as petrol expenses which could be contrued as income earnings. And he got involved with the show which is a business transaction designed to seek profits.

[Betti]

that's exactly what I meant using the expression Mickey Mouse democracy.

[Khun Don]

PPP and coalition parties to vote Samak back
By The Nation

People's Power Party agreed on Tuesday to vote for Samak Sundaravej to become prime minister again, PPP's spokesman Kudeb saikrachang.

The Constitution Court on Tuesday has disqualified Samak from the premiership after he is found violating the charter by hosting two cooking shows.

Kudeb said the party believed Samak was already punished by the disqualication and his wrongdoings did not involve with the administrating the country.

"Therefore we believe that Khun Samak should be voted as prime minister again," he claimed.

Other coalition parties also voiced agreement to the idea, he said.

[Khun Don]

PPP to call urgent meeting Wednesday to name PM

The People Power Party will call an urgent meeting tomorrow to renominate Samak Sundaravej as prime minister, deputy party leader Kan Thiankaew said on Tuesday following the verdict to disqualify Samak.

Should Samak decline his nomination, the main coalition party would advance the name of its alternate candidate, Kan said, ruling out speculation that Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa might replace Samak.

The six coalition parties have scheduled to meet tomorrow to search for a new prime minister.

Under the Tuesday's verdict, Samak is disqualified from his job on grounds for conflict of interest relating to his involvement in two cooking shows. The Cabinet is allowed to act as the caretaker administration pending the formation of a new government.

The Nation

[Khun Don]

Matchima Thipataya Party wants a new PM


MP Kiatikorn Pakpiensilp from Matchiam Thipataya Party on Tuesday indicated that Samak Sundaravej should not be reelected as prime minister after being disqualified by the judicial decision.

Kiatikorn urged six coalition parties to nominate a qualified individual to lead the coalition government.

He said the political crisis would not be resolved if the People Power Party pushed to reinstall Samak or nominate controversial figures such as Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonlee.

The Nation

[Richard Barrow]

It is ironical, that after all their street protesting, Samak was finally removed through the court system. They way it should be done in a democratic society.

[Khun Don]

I am sure we have not heard the last of Khun Samak, Richard, I have little doubt he will be back in power -one way or another -very soon.