PM Samak Found Guilty: Must Resign

[Khun Don]

House speaker uncertain on vote for new PM by Friday


House Speaker Chai Chidchob on Tuesday expressed uncertainty that the House could vote to elect the prime minister to replace Samak Sundaravej by Friday as speculated.

Chai said under the House rules, the MPs need to be notified about the vote three days in advance.

The People Power Party indicated that it would push for a quick vote to reinstall Samak in office by Friday, if possible.

The Nation

[Jerome]

What a load of bullshit. How do you spell banana again?....

looking forward to Thailand becoming the laughing stock of the world again - a PM resigning because of a cooking show, and then being returned once again by the voters.

http://www.reddit.com/r/worldnews/co...inister_samak/

Now what?

Exactly!

There are reasons why some countries are poor, and always will be.

[Khun Don]

Sompong leads the race
By The Nation


Fierce lobbying was rocking the political landscape as the House of Representatives is set to convene an urgent meeting on Friday to pick a new prime minister after Samak Sundaravej was ousted by the Constitutional Court yesterday.

A defiant People Power Party will try to nominate one of its senior members to replace Samak, but it first will have to overcome possible insurgency among coalition allies, who will keep options open till the last minute. With the opposition Democrat Party waiting in the wing and Chart Thai leader Banharn Sila-archa holding out hope for a political windfall, horse trading will be very intense in the next 48 hours.

Samak lost his post after the Constitution Court found him guilty of hosting TV cooking shows in violation of the charter. The PPP leader, who disappeared from public view since returning from Udon Thani in the afternoon, can still be voted back as prime minister by the ruling PPP, but analysts view the chance as rather small.

PPP candidates to succeed Samak include three senior leaders _ Sompong Amornvivat, the justice minister; Suraphong Suebwonglee, the deputy premier and finance minister; and Somchai Wongsawad, the deputy premier and education minister. As of last night, Sompong seemed to have slight edges over the other two.

Meanwhile, the opposition Democrats have also explored the possibility of forming a coalition government with dissident government parties and MPs, including those of Chart Thai and Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana parties. Democrat kingmaker Suthep Thaugsuban was said to be sending out feelers to the coalition partners, particularly Chart Thai.

PPP's spokesman Kudeb Saikrachang said he was confident Samak would return as premier in the upcoming House vote, as he was already punished by the court for hosting the two cooking shows.

Samak did not commit serious wrongdoings as far as national affairs are concerned, he said.

PPP deputy leader Kan Tienkaew also said Samak still has a chance to be re-elected by the House. However, Kiatikorn Pakpiensilp, the Prachinburi MP of Machima Tippatai Party, a government party, said Samak should take his responsibility as ordered by the court, rather than making a come-back.

"Now, the PPP would have a chance to nominate other persons as prime minister, but I'm not sure if the names mentioned earlier would be acceptable," he said, adding that Machima Tippatai party will remain a government party.

Wallop Tangkananuluk, the former Bangkok senator, said Samak should not return as premier since such a comeback will worsen the political situation.

He urged the PAD to stop its protests after Samak is out of office.

Suthep Thugsuban, secretary-general of opposition Democrat party, said Samak had lost his legitimacy to return as premier following the court's ruling.

"I prefer government parties to pick a new premier to help resolve the political crisis," he said, adding that the Democrats will co-operate with other parties but cannot form the government due to the lack of House majority.

However, fresh efforts are under way to court some government parties and MPs to switch side and form a new government with the Democrats being the core.

This potential dissident grouping will include Democrat, Chat Thai, Ruam Jai Thai, and about 30 PPP MPs in the Northeast.

Banharn Silapa-archa, the leader of Chat Thai Party, and Pradit Pataraprasit of Ruam Jai Thai are among the crucial factors for this choice.

Banharn said yesterday he would not accept the premier-ship, but government sources said Banharn is also a candidate reportedly favoured by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as Samak's successor.

[Khun Don]

Unconscionable for PPP to vote Samak back as PM: PAD leader
By The Nation


If the People Power Party votes its leader Samak Sundaravej back as prime minister after he was disqualified by the Constitution Court, the party is nothing but bandits, Somsak Kosaisuk, a leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, said yesterday.

"If this is allowed to happen, the country will not survive because its leaders lack etiquette and integrity,'' he said.

Somsak said Samak had lost legitimacy to run the country. "In developed countries, leaders resign without a court order to disqualify them. They resign when people protest to oust them,'' he said.

Maj General Chamlong Srimuang, another PAD leader, said the PAD would meet and seek approval from its supporters who had gathered at Government House about what should be the next step. He said Samak would be an embarrassment in the eyes of foreign countries if he returned as PM.

Prof Chalermpol Saempet, co-ordinator of Northern Region PAD, said the issue involved morality and the integrity of a country leader. If the coalition party leaders vote Samak back into power, it would be equal to challenging the courts' power and would humiliate the Thai people.

"Samak will face growing opposition if he returns,'' he said.

During the Cabinet meeting ministers from the PPP agreed that they would vote for Samak again as prime minister.

PPP party list MP Sukhumpong Ngonkam said he believed Samak could return as PM because his case was the same as Commerce Minister Chaiya Sasomsap who was disqualified as health minister. Samak continues to keep his MP status and he was still suitable as PM, he said.

Health Minister Wicharn Meenchainant said although all PPP Bangkok MPs and ministers respected the court ruling, they wanted to vote Samak back as PM because they believe he was still qualified since his involvement in the cooking programme did not indicate corruption.

He said the ruling party was not afraid that voting Samak back to power would bring the country to the brink of chaos because the law allowed the PPP to do so.

"I wonder why we do not respect and obey laws. Why do we have to follow what the PAD wants? This is not correct. In a democratic system, we have to follow the majority,'' he said.

[Khun Don]

Five scenarios for selecting PM
By The Nation


Speculation over scenarios to pick the new prime minister and government erupted immediately after the Constitution Court issued its landmark verdict stripping Samak Sundaravej of his premiership, making him the first prime minister to be ejected by court order.

Under "Formula 1", Samak will defy the court order by trying to stage a comeback.

Kuthep Saikrachang, spokesman for the People Power Party (233 MPs), vowed that his party would nominate Samak in Parliament and vote him back into power because the Constitution does not prohibit a disqualified prime minister from returning to high office again. Samak is still an MP.

But Borwornsak Uwanno, a noted public law expert, said the law might offer a loophole for Samak to return to the premier's post but ethically speaking it's another matter.

"If I were him, I would not return to power because it would be difficult to explain to the whole world after the Constitution Court's ruling. It should be a case of profound ethical conscience," he said.

Suthep Thuagsuban, secretary-general of the Democrat Party, also said Samak should not seek power again because he has lost legitimacy and credentials. The Opposition Democrats would be waiting for the coalition partners to spell out their position first, he added.

The possibility of Samak regaining his premier's badge is very low. The People Power Party is also fed up with him because he was considered an outsider, who had not invested a single baht to become the party leader.

Samak is also fighting a libel suit, which could blow out his political career forever. The Appeals Court is scheduled to read its verdict on September 25 after the lower court found Samak guilty and sentenced him to a prison term.

Formula 2 will see People Power nominating Somchai Wongsawat, Surapong Suebwonglee or Sompong Amornwiwat as PM. The first two are closer to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. There is a greater possibility that People Power will strive for this political course in order to maintain its grip on power.

But a Somchai or Surapong nomination will still face fierce opposition from the People's Alliance for Democracy, whose members have laid siege to Government House since August 26. The PAD has demanded Samak's resignation and also the People Power's exit from government. If Sompong won the party's nomination, he might be more acceptable to them.

Formula 3 finds Banharn Silapa-archa of the Chart Thai Party (34 MPs) anxiously waiting in the wings to become prime minister again. He served the post briefly in 1996. Banharn tried to shoot for the top slot earlier this year when he joined hands with other smaller parties to bargain against People Power and also the Democrats.

Banharn can see his wish come true only if People Power agrees to step back to ease the political pressure.

Formula 4 has Abhisit Vejjajiva of the Democrat Party (164 MPs) taking over as prime minister. This will happen if all the coalition partners abandon People Power to back Abhisit's bid. A Democrat-led coalition government will hold a thin majority in Parliament with 247 MPs against People Power's 223, making it difficult for it to survive until early next year.

Sombat Thamrongthanwong, rector of the National Institute for Development Administration, has called for the five coalition partners to jump ship and join the Democrat Party in forming a new government because this is the only channel to heal the deep wounds in Thai politics.

"It is now a golden opportunity for the coalition partners to salvage the national crisis," he said.

In Formula 5, all the political parties agree to form a National Unity Government for the sake of national reconciliation. Still, they will need to pick one candidate from their parties to become PM. An outsider is almost unimaginable because Parliament needs to fix the Constitution first.

[Khun Don]

Businessmen: Samak's return unwanted
By Business Reporters
The Nation

Businessmen urged all MPs not to vote disqualified Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej back to office, fearing that would prolong political chaos.

Suchart Chantranakaracha, chairman of Thai National Shippers' Council, said that disqualification of Prime Minister Samak did not guarantee the end of the political turmoil as People's Alliance for Democracy is vying to destroy former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's nominee.

"We [businessmen] are still concerned with continuing political conflicts because the PAD had not yet succeeded the goal, while the People Power Party still insists to name Samak as the prime minister. This will increase political tension," said Suchart.

He called for all involved not to vote for Samak's return in order to ease tension. The best solution to solve the problem is naming someone as the premier, while all involved including the government, the opposition, and the PAD must join a negotiation to end the political chaos.

Nandor von der Luehe, president of the Joint Foreign Chamber of Commerce, said that foreign investors are anxiously waiting for the easing of political tension in Thailand.

He hopes that the conflict will end soon in order to restore foreign investors' confidence.

Von der Luehe said that foreign investors are closely watching the next political move, when politicians must think what would be the best for the Kingdom.

Chookiat Ophaswongse, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, is also afraid that political tension would rise as PPP vows to vote for Samak when Parliament is to name the new prime minister.

Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said that if Samak is voted back, the tension would rise and political crisis would be prolonged.

Concerned with Samak's return, Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said the Cabinet reshuffle should not seriously affect investment policies.

Wallop Vitanakorn, president of Hi-Tech Apparel, said members in the People Power Party should consider carefully if they want Samak to further steer the country.

"I want them to give priority to the country's benefits. I believe nobody wants to the prolonged political turmoil," he said.

Boonchai Chokwattana, president of Saha Pathanapibul Plc, said that the Constitution Court's ruling has eased the intense political situation but the political unrest would return if Samak is voted back to the office.

He added that the new premier should win public acceptance and possess acumen to manage the country. The new premier should also uphold transparency.

Witawat Jayapani, chief executive of advertising agency Creative Juice/G1 said that the political storm would not end if Samak returns.

Kongkrit Hiranyakit, chairman of Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), said tourists around the world should perceive the court's ruling positive, as Thailand should be a safer place.

"I would say that he (Samak) should not come back again. If he returns, the situation will worsen," said Kongkirt.

The council scheduled to meet with its 60 association members next week to assess the political impacts on the business and seek solutions.

Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, deputy secretarygeneral of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and the Board of Trade of Thailand, said that the new government must be formed immediately in order to ensure that all government's policies will run continuously while the Declaration of the State of Emergency must be revoked as soon as possible.

"It was not the most important issue who will be the next premier, but the new cabinet must be formed soon as the country will stay in vacuum without a government."

TCC's vice chairman Phongsak Assakul said that if all Cabinet members return, the political turbulence would continue.

[billk]

There are reasons why some countries are poor, and always will be.

Compared to most of the surrounding countires, Thailand is anything but poor. If an appropriate amount of Thailand's wealth was used properly as the public purse, instead of disappearing in corruption, Thailand would be doing very nicely indeed.

[Khun Don]

Name of next PM might have the initial S


People Power Party MPs on Wednesday held a working luncheon to mull their decision on the next prime minister.

The MPs are from Isaan Pattana faction and a clique of northern lawmakers under former House speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat.

Following lunch, MP Paijit Sriworakhan said the candidates shortlist included Samak Sundaravej, Somchai Wongsawat and Sompong Amornwiwat.

Yongyuth dismissed speculation that his MPs might vote for the Democrat-led coalition.

The Nation

[Khun Don]

Certain PPP MPs reluctant to reinstate Samak


People Power Party MP Chaowarin Latthasaksiri voiced disapproval on Wednesday if his party would push for the reinstatement of Samak Sundaravej as prime minister.

Chaowarin said Samak has been entangled with several litigations which could cost him his job if allowed to resume office.

He said the main coalition party should search for the next prime minister from among the MPs within the six-party coalition alliance.

MP Piraphan Phalusuk from Isaan Pattana faction said his party should reconsider its backing of Samak. Piraphan said Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat might be a more suitable candidate for the job.

The Nation

[Khun Don]

Samak may not be 'suitable as PM' : Yongyuth
By The Nation

A hundred or so MPs from the People Power Party met yesterday and later it was hinted that Samak Sundaravej might not be suitable for the job of prime minister.

The meeting, chaired by former PPP deputy leader and ex-House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat, was attended by about half of the party, which has 223 MPs.

Yongyuth told reporters that they had discussed the country's situation, particularly the question of who would be best as prime minister after the Constitution Court disqualified Samak on Tuesday.

"We, as members of the party, think that if we get caught in power traps, we will not be able to see the real problems. The country will plunge deeper if we continue to be rivals," Yongyuth explained.

Yongyuth was appointed to convey this message to Samak.

"We believe that Khun Samak is good and straightforward. However, we should not make it a personal matter as the country's problems have to be settled urgently," Yongyuth said, insisting that the next prime minister would definitely be from PPP.

He added that Friday was too early to nominate a new premier, and that the parliament session to discuss the matter should be postponed until next month.

He said the PPP would meet again today to discuss the best candidates for the PM's job.