Thursday, September 11, 2008

It was Thug-Sin that decided Samak still be PM again

Who says one need a parliament seat to be calling the shots? even absconded Thug-Sin can still decide who to be next Thai PM!





http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/11/politics/politics_30083185.php





London calling


By The Nation

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is living in exile, made a call from London to make his preference known on who should be prime minister, People Power Party deputy spokesman Suthin Klangsaeng said on Thursday.





Thaksin's call happened ahead of today's party meeting to nominate a sole candidate for the job, Suthin said.
The party would heed the London advice made as a concerned citizen but opt for a free vote on the nomination, he said.
He also predicted that the turmoil would persist because the People's Alliance for Democracy would not accept any prime minister nominated by his party.





http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/...s_30083200.php

Samak accepts nomination to return as PM: spokesman



Samak Sundaravej has accepted his party's nomination to return to power as prime minister, a spokesman said Thursday.





"Samak has accepted his nomination for prime minister," said Suthin Klangsang, a spokesman for the People Power Party (PPP).
"Samak said he is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and that he is happy to accept the post," Suthin added.








Yesterday PPP changed their minds on Samak to be re-nominated, but out-law Thug-Sin called from London and made Samak the next PM!! :

http://nationmultimedia.com/worldhot...ewsid=30083096

Certain PPP MPs reluctant to reinstate Samak


By The Nation

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.





http://nationmultimedia.com/worldhot...ewsid=30083126



Snoh wants a non-controversial figure as PM



Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong on Wednesday reaffirmed his party as part of the coalition alliance led by the People Power Party.





Snoh made his party's stand during a meeting with three PPP leaders, Somchai Wongswat, Surapong Suebwonglee and Sompong Amornwiwat.

Following the meeting, Somchai said Snoh gave his green light for the PPP to name the next prime minister who should not be controversial in order to avoid fuelling the tensions.

The PPP is expected tomorrow to finalise its decision on prime minister and the party plans to submit just one name for House vote on Friday.



http://nationmultimedia.com/worldhot...ewsid=30083170

Don't reinstate Samak, say academics


By SATHIEN WIRIYAPANPONGSA
THE NATION
Published on September 11, 2008


Nineteen law lecturers yesterday called on MPs not to reinstate Samak Sundaravej as prime minister amid growing opposition to the idea proposed by politicians from the ruling People Power Party (PPP).





In their statement, the academics explained any attempt to reinstate Samak, who was disqualified in a Constitution Court ruling on Tuesday for conflict of interest, would be tantamount to "destroying the value of the Constitution".They said the constitutional ban on Cabinet members being employed by any business was an attempt to prevent public office holders from being influenced by private entities and that the court had interpreted the provision accordingly.

"Do not allow your decision to destroy the value of the Constitution and do not let your decision keep Thailand further away from being a society of virtue and ethics," said the statement.

Of the academics signing the statement, 13 were from Thammasat University, four from Naresuan University, one from Chulalongkorn University and one from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.
The academics included Banjerd Singkaneti, Komsan Phokong, Thitipan Chuabunchai, Rattasak Bamrungsuk, Sawaeng Boonchalermvipas and Surasak Maneesorn.

Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), yesterday said reinstating Samak as prime minister would be "a childish act" and possibly irritate His Majesty the King.

He warned that Samak might be disqualified again if the Appeals Court on September 25 upheld a lower court's jail sentence against him.

"It is the PPP's right to nominate Samak as prime minister again, but what if royal endorsement is sought for his appointment, and Samak is disqualified again by the court ruling on September 25? Aren't they afraid that might irritate HM the King? It's a childish act," Chamlong said.

The Constitution stipulates that Cabinet members must lose their seat when they are sentenced by court to a term of imprisonment. On Tuesday, the Constitution Court disqualified Samak for violating the charter by retaining his role as a public company's employee while serving as prime minister. Samak hosted two television cooking shows, which the court described as a conflict of interest.

Chamlong yesterday said selection of a new prime minister was a matter for the House of Representatives.
The PAD does not have a favourite candidate for the seat, he said.

Meanwhile, academics and business people yesterday expressed opposition to the idea of reinstating Samak as prime minister. They said it was illegitimate and would do more harm than good to the country's politics and economy.

Jantana Suttijaree of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration said that as an MP, Samak had the right to be nominated as prime minister again, but any attempt to reinstate him would deprive him of legitimacy. "If Samak decides to return, the political conflict will worsen, and society will see a more serious rift," she said. Prasart Meetaem of Prince of Songkhla University's Hat Yai campus said with the court ruling, Samak was no longer qualified to assume the PM's post.

Thai Tapioca Trade Association president Niyom Chulaserekul said it would be fine if Samak were reinstated just to dissolve the House.

Anusit Phuwaset, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's northern chapter, said by reinstating Samak, the MPs from the coalition parties would show they did not care about people's feelings. He also warned of violent clashes between supporters and detractors.
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