Prime Minister No. 26

BangkokPost.com

Deputy leader of People Power party (PPP) Somchai Wongsawat was elected prime minister by parliament as expected on Wednesday morning with a solid 298 votes from PPP and the coalition.
He is the 26th prime minister in moder Thai history.
The opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, nominated as a token candidate to oppose the government, received 163 votes from his Democrat party members. There were five MPs who abstained from voting.
After the House speaker adjourned the meeting, Mr Somchai later greeted Mr Abhisit and thanked core members of the coalition parties, such as Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa and Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong, for giving him support.
Mr Somchai, brother-in-law to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, will take office once he is endorsed by His Majesty the King.
Prior to the vote, Mr Somchai expressed confidence that he would be voted as the prime minister.
"There is no rebellion in the party," he told reporters upon arriving at parliament. "My family fully supports me to work to the best of my ability."
Mr Abhisit, meanwhile, called on the new prime minister to hold talks with anti-government protesters and step out of Mr Thaksin's shadow.
"The new prime minister must clearly show how he is going to ease the situation. He must work to erase any doubts," Mr Abhisit said.
Shortly after the vote, core leaders of People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) Chamlong Srimuang and Somsak Kosaisuk held a news conference, saying that the group does not accept Mr Somchai because he is a nominee of Mr Thaksin.
Earlier report:
By Bangkok Post Reporters
Deputy leader of the People Power party (PPP) Somchai Wongsawat is poised to become prime minister after securing backing from a rebel faction and the five coalition partners on Tuesday.
Boonchong Wongtrairat, a member of the rebel faction associated with Newin Chidchob, said all 73 MPs in the faction have agreed to comply with the party's resolution to nominate Mr Somchai for the post of prime minister.
The group was earlier opposed to the nomination of Mr Somchai, a brotherin-law of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, on grounds that the family ties would intensify political tensions.
PPP MPs backing Mr Somchai threatened on Monday to call for a House dissolution if the PPP failed to make him the government leader.
Following the Newin faction's change of heart, the PPP and its five coalition partners last night announced they would support Mr Somchai.
The House of Representatives will meet Wednesday to select the prime minister to succeed Samak Sundaravej, who was disqualified by the Constitution Court for receiving payments for hosting television cooking shows.
Mr Banchong said his faction has reversed its stand because of Mr Somchai's pledge to address its concerns about the continuing political strife.
"He insists he can solve what we 73 MPs are worried about. He also pledges to uphold democracy and achieve reconciliation," said Mr Banchong.
But he said the group is demanding Mr Somchai say in parliament how he will ease political confrontation, create national reconciliation, uphold constitutional democracy with the monarch as head of state and enforce the law.
Supachai Phisu, a PPP MP for Nakhon Phanom and a member of the faction, gave an assurance that the Wednesday voting will not end in chaos like it did on Sept 12, when coalition parties boycotted the House meeting, scuppering the planned reinstatement of Mr Samak, who later gave up his bid to regain the post.
A source in the PPP said the faction's support for Mr Somchai followed negotiations between Mr Newin, Mr Somchai, his wife Yaowapa, and Pongthep Thepkanchana, Mr Thaksin's spokesman.
Through Mr Somchai's coordination, Mr Newin managed to secure a pledge from leaders of coalition partners that they would work with the PPP instead of leaving it to deal with problems alone, as it did with Mr Samak, the source said.
Mr Newin also received assurances, also through Mr Somchai, from army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda that there would not be a military coup to topple Mr Somchai if he was elected as prime minister, the source said.
According to the source, Mr Newin was not sure that his group would enjoy support from Mr Somchai as it did from Mr Samak.
However, the group is likely to retain its four cabinet seats — deputy interior minister, deputy agriculture minister, deputy education minister and deputy transport minister.
It was reported that his group would lobby for the appointment of Lt-Gen Udomchai Ongkhasingh, a former Third Army chief, to be deputy defence minister. Other factions were said to support Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranont, deputy leader and former supreme commander, for the job.
Mr Somchai said he was ready for public scrutiny.
"I cannot deny my family ties, but what matters is how I behave. From where I stand, I cannot escape scrutiny," he said.
Mr Somchai said he was not thinking about "taking back" Government House from the People's Alliance for Democracy demonstrators.
Democrat MP Alongkorn Polabutr called on the PPP to review its planned nomination of Mr Somchai, saying it would be a political timebomb due to his close ties with Mr Thaksin.
The PAD reiterated its rejection of Mr Somchai and any other member of the PPP as prime minister.
PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said that with Mr Somchai as the government leader, the political turmoil would continue.
Earlier report:
(BangkokPost.com)
Leaders of six coalition parties held a Tuesday night dinner and news conference to announce they will back acting premier and deputy People Power party leader Somchai Wongsawat as prime minister when parliament meets on Wednesday.
Mr Somchai, caretaker prime minister, thanked the leaders and MPs of the coalition parties for supporting him.
"The six parties will form the government together, and will vote for the prime minister tomorrow (Wednesday)," Mr Somchai, brother-in-law of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, said at the news conference.
All five coalition leaders were present: Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa, its deputy leader Somsak Prissananantakul, Pracharaj chief adviser Sanan Kachornprasart, Pracharaj deputy leader Uraiwan Thienthong, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chetta Thanajaro, its deputy leader Prapas Limprapan, Matchimathipataya party leader Anongwan Thepsuthin, its secretary-general Banyin Tangpakorn, Puea Pandin leader Suvit Khunkitti, its deputy leader Ranongrak Suwanchawee and its spokesman Chaiyos Jiramethakorn.
Mr Banharn, whose party members did not show up at the parliament for the vote last week, said his party will support the nominee of the party with the majority vote (which is People Power party) as new prime minister.
Earlier in the day, PPP MPs agreed to back Mr Somchai as the leader of the government, averting what many media analysts claimed was the threat that parliament would be dissolved for a snap election.
Asked how the government would proceed with cases against fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Mr Somchai replied that the government will rely on the judicial process to handle the cases. Mr Somchai is married to Mr Thaksin's sister.
"The government has no responsibility to protect anyone," he said. "Everything will go according to judicial procedures. The government will ensure that everything follows the rule of law."
If elected, Mr Somchai will serve as Thailand's 26th prime minister.

Emergency ends

(BangkokPost.com, Bangkok Post)

The caretaker government has lifted the 12-day state of emergency in Bangkok, effective immediately.
Temporary prime minister Somchai Wongsawat make the announcement on Sunday morning, with Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda and police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan, the co-commanders of security forces during the brief emergency.
The press conference was held at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters.
Mr Somchai, who currently is the favourite to be named as permanent prime minister by parliament on Wednesday, said he would like all sides to reconcile as a present for His Majesty the King.
He called on the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to stop protesting at Government House because the government is concerned for the demonstrators. The PAD earlier rejected all calls to stop their protest and occupation of Government House.
According to the caretaker premier, the emergency decree in Bangkok has created a negative image, with the House of Representatives scheduled to vote for a new prime minister this week.
Mr Somchai refused to rule out using the emergency decree again if necessary.
On Sept 2, then-premier Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency in the capital region, following violent clashes between the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), resulting in the death of a government supporter and dozens of injuries.
The decision to lift the emergency was made at a Saturday night meeting between Mr Somchai and Army chief Gen Anupong.
They agreed the state of emergency was merely damaging the country, and the political situation was under control.

Somchai the favourite

Post Reporters

Acting premier Somchai Wongsawat has an advantage over two other rivals in the People Power party (PPP) in the race to become the next prime minister.
The contest began after Samak Sundaravej decided on Friday to retire from politics.
Mr Somchai, Sompong Amornwiwat and Surapong Suebwonglee were picked by key party members yesterday to be potential candidates in the race.
Only one will be officially endorsed by PPP members at a meeting tomorrow. The name will be forwarded to the other five coalition parties for backing on Tuesday, one day before lawmakers reconvene in the House to vote for a new government leader.
Mr Somchai and Mr Sompong are the PPP's deputy leaders. Mr Surapong is secretary-general.
One of them will replace Mr Samak as prime minister after he was rejected by the coalition parties and dissident PPP members. Mr Samak's decision to step down as the PPP leader will not be official until it is approved by the party.
A PPP source said Mr Somchai, who is also caretaker prime minister and education minister, was favoured by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who still has influence in key issues.
He received backing from factions inside the PPP upset about the role of the largest group loyal to Newin Chidchob.
Mr Somchai is a brother-in-law of Mr Thaksin. Even the Democrat party preferred Mr Somchai to other contenders. "Somchai Wongsawat looks more suitable due to his past record as a judge and permanent secretary for justice," said Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.
Mr Suthep criticised Mr Sompong for trying to please Mr Thaksin by using his authority as justice minister to reshuffle officials thought to oppose the deposed prime minister out of the Department of Special Investigation. But the five parties in the government coalition appeared to support Mr Sompong because they did not want to see a new prime minister too close to Mr Thaksin, the source said.
Having Mr Somchai as the new prime minister could make the government more vulnerable to attacks by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) because he was even closer to Mr Thaksin than Mr Samak, another source said.
The group under Mr Newin, believed to represent about 70 MPs, has now picked Mr Surapong as its new favourite.
Songsak Thongsri of the Newin faction said Mr Surapong was the best choice as he would be acceptable to the public.
Mr Surapong, who is finance minister, would not face opposition from businessmen, another PPP member said.
However, he will face opposition from other factions inside the PPP who are upset about the way the Newin bloc tried to dictate to the party, sources said.
Whoever emerges as the winner will face opposition from the PAD, said coleader Chamlong Srimuang.
The PAD will continue its demonstration at Government House until the government falls.

Trio of contenders

Manop Thip-Osod and Wassana Nanuam

Political alliances in the People Power party-led government agreed on candidates for the job of prime minister on Sunday but remained tight-lipped on their preferences among Somchai Wongsawat, Sompong Amornwiwat and Surapong Suebwonglee.
The five parties' backing was crucial after they rejected the return of Mr Samak by boycotting the parliamentary session called on Friday to pick the new leader of the government.
Their stance, supported by rebel members of the PPP, forced Mr Samak out of politics.
On Sunday the five parties promised to be part of a new government and left the nomination of a prime minister to the PPP to decide.
Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpaarcha late last night pledged to be part of the administration. "Chart Thai is ready to support one of the three to be prime minister," he said.
Earlier, Mr Somchai, the acting prime minister, said Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong had ceded responsibility for selecting the prime minister to the PPP.
Matchimathipataya chief Anongwan Thepsuthin also agreed to back the PPP's choice.
"Matchimathipataya will respect any candidate endorsed by the PPP. (Sunday's) talks did not touch on cabinet positions to be reserved for the party," she said.
Puea Pandin leader Suvit Khunkitti said the quick formation of the new government was essential.
He hoped the PPP would select the most suitable person to lead the government, but he and the other party leaders refused to reveal their individual favourites.
Mr Somchai and Mr Surapong promised there would be no rift in the party when its members convene to select one of the three candidates.
The PPP will meet its coalition partners again tomorrow to jointly announce the candidate, who will be officially selected by parliament at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
Mr Somchai was with army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda and police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan on Sunday to announce the end of the state of emergency in Bangkok, effective immediately.
He strongly denied the move was a tactic to boost his popularity ahead of the PPP's decision on who will be the prime minister. The emergency was being lifted to spare the country's economy from further damage, he said.
Mr Somchai is tipped to have the best chance of the three, as he is a brother-in-law of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who backs the PPP.
But this close relationship with Mr Thaksin makes other coalition parties uncomfortable, fearing Mr Somchai will be branded a proxy to the telecom tycoon.
Mr Surapong is believed to be favoured by business groups, as he is the current finance minister.
Mr Somchai denied that Mr Thaksin, who fled court proceedings in Bangkok to live in London, pressed the party to nominate him as successor to Mr Samak.
The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) continued to attack all the three choices.
Somsak Kosaisuk, one of the PAD leaders, said none of the three were qualified to run the country and said that instead of trying to become prime minister, they should step down from politics altogether.
The PAD has made clear it will say no to a government led by the PPP.
Mr Somchai shrugged off the rejection by the PAD, saying their opposition to the PPP was acceptable but the demonstrators must respect the law.
Democrat party spokesman Ongart Klampaiboon said the three candidates were a reflection of infighting inside the PPP between the "gang of four" — which includes Mr Surapong, Newin Chidchob and Mr Samak — and the rest, who were frustrated at their declining roles in key decisions made in the party.

www.bangkokpost.com

Good for business

(Bangkok Post)
The business sector has hailed the Sunday decision by the caretaker government to lift the state of emergency in Bangkok.
Dusit Nontanakorn, vice-chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the government made the right decision, which would restore confidence among investors and tourists.
The decree, imposed on Sept 2, damaged Thailand's image, said Mr Dusit.
Chukiat Opaswong, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the declaration of the state of emergency in Bangkok misled foreigners to imagine Thailand was enduring riots or facing a civil war, and that affected their confidence.
However, Mr Chukiat expects the political standoff to continue until the end of the year.
The government should dissolve the lower house and call a general election, he said.
Senee Phuwasetthaworn, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, said the lifting of the state of emergency was good for the tourism industry. So many visitors have cancelled their trips to Thailand over fears for their safety, he said.
If a new government is formed promptly and demonstrators do not seal off airports or transport routes again, the tourism sector will bounce back quickly, Mr Senee said.
Vichai Lorsiri, president of the Association of Kanchanaburi Tourist Business, also agreed with the lifting of the state of emergency. He said the decree had not helped ease the political crisis but had greatly harmed tourism businesses.
The decree caused tourist numbers in Kanchanaburi to drop to almost half of their usual level seen during these months of the year, he said.
Democrat MP Narapat Kaeothong urged the government on Sunday to issue new measures to stimulate the economy. He said the state of emergency had cost the economy some 35 billion baht.
The House committee on economic development will discuss appropriate measures with representatives of the private sector at the parliament on Wednesday, he said.
Democrat MP Sansern Samalapa said Thailand could not depend on exports alone to keep its economy healthy because its trading partners were facing economic downturns.
PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang said the government should take responsibility for the damage caused by the decree.
The PAD would go on with its antigovernment protest even though the decree has been lifted, he said.
The alliance would reject the new prime minister chosen by the coalition, whoever it may be, Maj-Gen Chamlong said, adding that a House dissolution was not an acceptable solution either.
On Sunday, acting prime minister Somchai Wongsawat announced the government's decision to lift the state emergency decree immediately. Also present at the press conference at the Armed Forces headquarters were army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda and national police chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan.
Mr Somchai said the political situation has improved and the continuation of the decree would further damage the national economy.

Paralympic gold

By Tor Chittinand

Prawat Wahoram won the men's 5,000-metre wheelchair race and Thailand's first gold medal at the Beijing Paralympic Games on Thursday.

Prawat crossed the line in the Bird's Nest stadium in 10:22.38 seconds to beat silver medallist Kurt Fearnley of Australia, who clocked 10:22.97.

The win avenged the Thai's defeat by the Australian at the 2004 Games in Athens. Britain's David Weir took the bronze in 10:23.03.

"I am very happy to win Thailand's first gold medal of the Games. I have to thank my wife and son, who have given me moral support," Prawat said.

Prawat will get a two million baht bonus from the government for winning a Paralympic gold medal. He will receive another one million baht after winning the silver medal in the 4x100m wheelchair relay earlier this week. A bronze medallist gets 500,000 baht.

Prawat has four events left in Beijing — the marathon, 800m, 1,500m and 4x400m. He has set his sights on taking home another gold in the 4x400m relay where Thailand are the defending champions and record holders.

In powerlifting, Thongsa Marasri just missed out on winning a bronze medal in the men's 56kg division.

Thongsa and South Korea's KeumJong Jung both lifted 180kg, but the Korean took bronze because his body weight was 0.01kg lighter than the Thai's.

The gold medal was won by Egyptian Sherif Othman, who set a world record of 202.5kg, while Iraq's Rasool Mohsin claimed the silver with 195kg.

"I am very disappointed. I had very little time to practise before the tournament. I hope I get more time for the next Games," Thongsa said.

At the end of Thursday's events, Thailand has one gold, one silver and four bronze medals in the Paralympics.

www.bangkokpost.com

The tension grows

By Post Reporters

A coalition revolt that includes members of the People Power party is threatening to sink the chances of Samak Sundaravej returning as Prime Minister.

The dissidents fear that if Mr Samak returned to lead the government, the political crisis that has shaken Thailand for the past several months and led to numerous violent incidents could deepen.

Despite being nominated by the PPP to be prime minister on Thursday, there is no guarantee Mr Samak will resume the post when lawmakers in the House vote for a new premier.

A highly-placed source at Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana party said the party thought it was not wise to nominate Mr Samak as prime minister again as public opposition to him has not waned.

Other coalition parties also disagreed with efforts to have him re-elected.

Chart Thai deputy leader and Agriculture Minister Somsak Prissananantakul confirmed the party disagreed with Mr Samak's return.

A source at Puea Pandin said key party executives, including Phinij Jarusombat and Preecha Laohapongchana, would not vote for him.

A source at Chart Thai said last night that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had contacted Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa for his support on Mr Samak or face a House dissolution.

Core leaders of the PPP on Thursday held a meeting at the party's headquarters to choose a candidate for the post of prime minister.

Key figures at the meeting included Yongyuth Tiyapairat, Transport Minister Santi Promphat, Yaowapa Wongsawat, a younger sister of Mr Thaksin, and former Thai Rak Thai executives Chaturon Chaisaeng and Newin Chidchob.

Supporters of Mr Samak said traditionally, a party leader must be named as a candidate for the post. Mr Samak has strong leadership skills and deserved to be chosen to lead the government.

A source said Mr Thaksin was confident Mr Samak was the only one who could handle the anti-government rally led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

But his opponents warned the return of Mr Samak could worsen the political situation. The PPP leader has another court case waiting for him, they added.

The Appeals Court's verdict on the defamation lawsuits filed against Mr Samak and former prime minister's office minister Dusit Siriwan, by former deputy Bangkok governor Samart Ratchapolsitte, is expected on Sept 25.

The Criminal Court found Mr Samak and Mr Dusit guilty on four counts of defaming Mr Samart during their TV talk shows between Jan 12 and Jan 19, 2006. The court sentenced them to 24 months in jail, with no suspension. Mr Samak has appealed.

If the Appeals Court upholds the verdict, Mr Samak will face jail unless he takes his case to the Supreme Court.

After the meeting, Mr Chaturon, Mr Santi and Mr Yongyuth went to Mr Samak's residence to tell him about party members' differing opinions on his proposed nomination.

Afterwards, party spokesman Kudep Saikrachang said Mr Samak came to the party's head office and confirmed his intention to make a comeback as prime minister.

According to Mr Kudep, Mr Samak said he agreed to be nominated because he wanted to safeguard democracy.

PPP deputy leader and caretaker Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said Mr Samak is suited to take the post of prime minister again.

Caretaker Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said he told the coalition parties that in principle Mr Samak, as leader of the party with the majority of House seats, should be nominated as prime minister.

However, not all PPP members agreed. About 70 MPs, including the Isan Pattana faction, did not think Mr Samak was a prudent option.

Nakhon Ratchasima MP Pol Lt-Col Somchai Phetpartsert of the PPP said the 70 MPs will exercise their rights under the constitution to abstain from either voting or to vote against Mr Samak.

"We want a person who is acceptable to all sides and can work together with other groups to solve the country's problems, not a person who is ready to stoke controversy," Pol Lt-Col Somchai said.

PAD leader Sonthi Limthongkul urged more demonstrators to take to the streets to show their opposition to Mr Samak.

Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda instructed First Army commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha to put more than 5,000 soldiers on stand-by in case they are needed to help police secure parliament.

www.bangkokpost.com

PM vote delayed

BangkokPost.com, dpa

Parliament on Friday postponed a vote on a new prime minister until Wednesday after the People Power party split over whether to re-nominate sacked Samak Sundaravej and coalition partners refused to get closely involved.

Mr Samak had been favoured briefly to retain the job he lost last Tuesday over his TV cooking shows. But the failure by many of his own People Power Party (PPP) members to show up for Friday's vote demonstrated the strong opposition to his reinstatement.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob decided to postpone the special session on technical grounds - that a quorum was not present, meaning at least half the 480 members of the House of Representatives. The meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday.

But the postponement emphasised deep divisions within the ruling People Power party, and within the six-party coalition which gives PPP a working majority in the lower House.

As of Friday morning, only the Newin's Friends faction of the PPP, controlled by Buri Ram political powerhouse Newin Chidchob, stood behind Mr Samak - and that was only around 90 MPs. Other factions from the North, Isan and central Thailand opposed Mr Samak from within the PPP, and the five political allies indicated they would have to hold their nose to vote for the ousted premier - if they voted for him at all.

On Thursday, Mr Samak had been briefly the leading candidate to become prime minister again, even though he just lost the job when the Constitution Court found him guilty of violating the charter by excepting outside employment during his premiership.

Although the court's guilty verdict forced Mr Samak to resign his post, it did not strip him of his member of parliament status, paving the way for his possible re-election by his PPP, which holds 223 of the 480 seats in the lower chamber.

Somchai Petprasert, a PPP member of Parliament, had said about 70 PPP lawmakers would abstain from voting for Samak Friday because they felt he would not be able to solve the country's political crisis.

It was unclear whether the PPP majority or even Mr Newin would continue to push Mr Samak's nomination next week.

"The PPP still supports Mr Samak, but if there is no way out, we may have to dissolve parliament and let the people decide again," said Jatuporn Promphan, a deputy government spokesman.

Although Mr Samak's renomination by the PPP was controversial, it demonstrated the lack of political options within the party, which has been dogged by its close ties to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a bloodless military coup on September 19, 2006, analysts said.

Mr Samak, who became premier in February, has been the target of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government movement, which seized Government House, the seat of the administration, on August 26 and has occupied it since.

The PAD insists it would not vacate Government House until Mr Samak and the PPP are out of power.

The PAD, which has the silent support of Thailand's political elite and has proven untouchable by the military, was instrumental in paving the way for the downfall of Thaksin two years ago.

PAD leaders view Mr Samak, 73, a right-wing politician who has been a well-known figure in Thai politics (and on cooking shows) for the past four decades. In the 2007 election, he was seen by many as an admitted proxy for the toppled Thaksin regime.

As prime minister, Mr Samak demonstrated some independence from Mr Thaksin, who is now living in exile in London with his wife and family.

Although Mr Samak had good relations with the military's top brass, they were not good enough to win the army's support in confronting the PAD.

Mr Samak declared Bangkok under a state of emergency on Sept 2, outlawing all gatherings of more than five people, but the military flatly refused to enforce the decree on the PAD followers at Government House, who number in the thousands.

"As a prime minister, I think Samak is a spent force, but the PPP doesn't have anyone else anywhere near his stature," said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Institute of Security and International Studies at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University and an Oped analyst of the Bangkok Post.

"It's the beginning of Thailand's end game," said Mr Thitinan of the showdown that has paralysed Thailand's government for weeks.

Samak steps back

By Eakarach Sattaburuth, Pradit Ruangdit and Penchan Charoensuthipan

Ousted prime minister Samak Sundaravej ended his campaign to regain his position on Friday - and street protesters of the People's Alliance Democracy vowed to step up their campaign to overthrow the rest of the government.

Mr Samak's decision was revealed yesterday by Theerapol Nopparampa, his close aide, after he spent about 50 minutes meeting Mr Samak at his home.

Mr Samak asked him to tell PPP members that he has tried his best to protect democracy. He would now end his effort and let the party decide on its own future.

Mr Samak's remarks have led to speculation that he will quit as PPP leader as well.

PPP registration officer Samarn Lertwongrat said he had not been informed about Mr Samak's resignation as party leader.

Mr Samarn said any such move would only take effect when the besieged former prime minister's resignation letter reached the party's secretary-general or himself.

PPP MPs held a meeting yesterday after the vote for a new prime minister in the House was postponed to next Wednesday due to a lack of a quorum.

Coalition parties and about 70 PPP MPs who opposed Mr Samak's nomination refused to attend the House for the vote.

The MPs asked deputy PPP leaders Somchai Wongsawat and Sompong Amornwiwat and secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee to convince Mr Samak to withdraw his nomination, though they said he should have the right to nominate someone for the job.

Sompong Amornwiwat, a key PPP contender for post, said the coalition parties would announce in the next two days the formation of the new alliance.

On Monday, the PPP will meet to select a member to stand for prime minister.

Mr Sompong said the party will tell coalition partners the name of its contender on Tuesday before voting takes place in the House on Wednesday.

According to PPP sources, deputy PPP leaders, Mr Somchai or Mr Sompong, are likely to be nominated.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob postponed the vote after a group of PPP MPs and members of the other five coalition partners opted not to attend the House meeting to elect the new prime minister. The next meeting of the House was scheduled for Wednesday.

Wichian Udomsak, an Amnat Charoen MP and member of the Friends of Newin Chidchob group that pushed for the reinstatement of Mr Samak, said in his opinion parliament might be dissolved if the House cannot elect a new prime minister next Wednesday.

Meanwhile, three Chart Thai MPs, Pathum Thani MP Ekkapot Panyaem, Ang Thong MP Paradorn Prissananantakul, and Si Sa Ket MP Siripong Angkhasakulkiat explained Chart Thai's decision not to attend the House meeting yesterday.

They said it was due to disagreement within the PPP on the nomination of Mr Samak.

They agreed to boycott the meeting to ensure it was postponed.

A Chart Thai source said party leader Banharn Silpa-archa on Thursday night received calls from PPP groups that supported and opposed Mr Samak's nomination.

Mr Siripong said Chart Thai was not playing political games with the PPP as alleged by PPP spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang, adding that: ‘‘We want to let the major party finalise its nomination first.''

Mr Siripong said the PPP should take into account people's opinions on its nomination of prime minister, while the next prime minister should be someone capable of solving the country's crisis.

Somsak Prissananantakul, a deputy Chart Thai leader, said postponing the vote would allow all parties more time to think about the country's direction.

Another deputy Chart Thai leader, Kanchana Silpa-archa, daughter of party leader Banharn, said the six coalition parties remain united.

Yesterday morning, about 1,000 progovernment demonstrators led by the Khon Rak Udon group (Love Udon People) turned up in front of parliament to support the reinstatement of Mr Samak.

The demonstrators were from Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Roi Et, Ratchaburi and Samut Prakan provinces.

Clad in red tops, they expressed their anger when they heard about the lack of quorum in the House and that voting was postponed. The group's leader, going under the alias Pey Klong Toey, vowed to list the names of PPP MPs who were absent from the House, and proposed the party expel them. They were all elected because of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's influence, not because of their own talent, he said.

Earlier report:

Ousted Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej ended his campaign to regain his position on Friday - and street protesters of the People's Alliance Democracy vowed to step up their campaign to overthrow the rest of the government.

Mr Samak's aide Teerapon Noprampa told the media the ex-premier has decided not to pursue a fight to take the prime minister's post when parliament meets again on Wednesday.

He said Mr Samak had left the decision on his future in the hands of the People Power party - and his PPP said it would not try to re-install him as government leader.

Possible candidates for the post now are mainly The Three S's.

* Acting Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who has 20 years' experience as a judge, but who is also brother-in-law of disgraced former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

* Sompong Amornwiwat, a career policeman from northern Thailand once a successful businessman.

* Surapong Suebwonglee, a medical doctor, "young" at 51, and currently the economic czar. He is the "father" of the 30-baht health-card system and was the country's first minister of information and communications technology.

Mr Samak's effective decision to step back and out of the government is unlikely to make things better - but could stop them from getting worse.

None of these current ministers is acceptable to the PAD as prime minister.

"We will still carry on our protest and call for the resignation of the whole Cabinet after Samak has stepped down. The government is a proxy, a puppet, for Thaksin Shinawatra and his legacy which we have seen as an evil system for this country," fellow PAD core leader Suriyasai Katasila told The Associated Press news agency.

Several alternatives to Samak have been put forward, mostly by the media.

Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silpa-archa, who served as prime minister in one of the country's more poorly regarded administrations in 1995-96, could be another coalition choice - although he has stated he does not want the job.

Abhisit Vejjajiva of the opposition Democrat Party, which holds the second highest number of seats in the House, said he would be willing to lead a national or unity government.

"It's time to get the country out of its crisis, and to do that we need leaders with a fresh attitude," he said.

(Additional material by BangkokPost.com)

PARALYMPICS : Wheelchair racer wins Thailand's first gold

Prawat Wahoram won the men's 5,000-metre wheelchair race and Thailand's first gold medal at the Beijing Paralympic Games yesterday.

Prawat crossed the line in the Bird's Nest stadium in 10:22.38 seconds to beat silver medallist Kurt Fearnley of Australia, who clocked 10:22.97.

The win avenged the Thai's defeat by the Australian at the 2004 Games in Athens. Britain's David Weir took the bronze in 10:23.03.

''I am very happy to win Thailand's first gold medal of the Games. I have to thank my wife and son, who have given me moral support,'' Prawat said.

Prawat will get a two million baht bonus from the government for winning a Paralympic gold medal. He will receive another one million baht after winning the silver medal in the 4x100m wheelchair relay earlier this week. A bronze medallist gets 500,000 baht.

Prawat has four events left in Beijing _ the marathon, 800m, 1,500m and 4x400m. He has set his sights on taking home another gold in the 4x400m relay where Thailand are the defending champions and record holders.

In powerlifting, Thongsa Marasri just missed out on winning a bronze medal in the men's 56kg division.

Thongsa and South Korea's Keum-Jong Jung both lifted 180kg, but the Korean took bronze because his body weight was 0.01kg lighter than the Thai's.

The gold medal was won by Egyptian Sherif Othman, who set a world record of 202.5kg, while Iraq's Rasool Mohsin claimed the silver with 195kg.

''I am very disappointed. I had very little time to practise before the tournament. I hope I get more time for the next Games,'' Thongsa said.

Thailand has one gold, one silver and four bronze medals in the Paralympics.

www.bangkokpost.com

Samak is (almost) back

(BangkokPost.com)

Two days after being kicked out of office by the Constitution Court, Samak Sundaravej is on the verge of becoming prime minister again.

Mr Samak on Thursday accepted a formal invitation by the People Power party to have his name put up for nomination as premier when parliament meets on Friday.

The decision to nominate him again was taken at a PPP meeting on Thursday, and transmitted to Mr Samak by a top-ranking party delegation sent to his house, said PPP deputy spokesman Suthin Klangsang.

"Mr Samak has accepted his nomination for prime minister," Mr Suthin told reporters. "He said he is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and that he is happy to accept the post."

The controversial re-nomination is certain to raise more opposition before MPs meet Friday morning. Anti-government protesters, business, and media editorials have called on Mr Samak not to run for premier again, after being ordered to resign by the Constitution Court on Tuesday.

On Thursday, anti-Samak forces got a hint of support from the army chief.

Gen Anupong Paojinda called on Thursday for the end of a state of emergency in Bangkok, imposed by Mr Samak, and said he would welcome formation of a unity government involving all political parties and perhaps outsiders. Such a "national government" appears unlikely, however.

The court disqualified Mr Samak from the post because he violated the constitution by hosting two cooking shows on commercial television.

The decision came just a few hours after the PPP resolved to re-elect the sacked premier for the top job in the government.

Shortly before Mr Samak announced his decision, representatives of six coalition parties held a joint news conference to announced their decision to continue to form a government alliance with the ruling People Power party (PPP) at its head. In effect, PPP gets to name the cabinet, as before.

They all agreed to support the person nominated by PPP as the leader of the government.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy PPP leader Somchai Wongsawat - currently the acting prime minister and the man most likely to become premier if Mr Samak decides not to stand, or is defated.

Representatives of Matchimathipataya, Pracharaj, Chart Thai, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana and Puea Pandin parties announced that they will support whomever the PPP nominates for the prime minister's post.

At the press conference on Thursday afternoon, Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissananantakul and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro said the next prime minister who will be nominated on Friday must be able to solve the political crises.

The five coalition parties however plan to hold another meeting on Thursday evening to discuss the PPP’s premier nomination.

www.bangkokpost.com

Samak out, not down

Post Reporters

Sacked Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has accepted the People Power party's decision to nominate him again on Friday to lead the government, according to high ranking sources in the coalition parties.

The Constitution Court Tuesday afternoon disqualified Mr Samak from the job of prime minister for violating the constitution by hosting two cooking shows on commercial television.

Shortly afterwards, the PPP held a meeting and resolved to again throw its support behind Mr Samak.

This was supported by all parties in the coalition government, including Chart Thai which earlier was reluctant to back him, the sources confirmed.

Parliament, which is firmly controlled by the six coalition parties, will vote for a prime minister on Friday, House Speaker Chai Chidchob said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat will act as prime minister for the time being.

Mr Samak, the PPP leader, did not talk to the press after the court's decision.

PPP spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang said Mr Samak and the party respected the court's decision. Even though Mr Samak has been stripped of his premiership, he remains an MP and there are no laws banning him from holding political office, Mr Kuthep said.

"The party has reached a unanimous decision and will nominate Mr Samak to be prime minister again," he said.

Party members did not think there was anything amiss with Mr Samak's actions and he did not cause any damage to the country.

Wattana Sengpairoh, a failed PPP candidate in Bangkok, said Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan still backed Mr Samak to lead the government. A former Thai Rak Thai party executive member, she has close ties to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and controls the faction of Bangkok MPs in the PPP.

However, MPs from the Isan Pattana faction inside the PPP disagreed with the quick decision to support Mr Samak, Roi Et MP Sakda Kongpetch said.

Voravaj Eua-apinyakul, an MP from Phrae, warned the party it must prepare a clear explanation for the public why it decided to bring Mr Samak back to head the government again.

The deputy leader of the Puea Pandin party, Information and Communications Technology Minister Mun Patanotai, said his party's position remains unchanged. "The party still supports the PPP. Leaders of other coalition parties still back Mr Samak," he said.

A source in Puea Pandin said members had to convince their party leader Suvit Khunkitti to back their desire to stay with the government.

Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa rejected speculation he would succeed Mr Samak as head of the government, saying he could not stand the pressure from the government's critics.

Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissananantakul, the agriculture minister, said Chart Thai was ready to support the party with the majority of seats in the House to form the government.

The push for Mr Samak's return was strongly opposed by the Democrat party.

Democrat deputy chief adviser Banyat Bantadtan urged the PPP and its coalition partners to listen to the public mood and do their bit to ease the political tension.

The nine judges on the charter court bench were unanimous in disqualifying Mr Samak for breaching the constitution by hosting the Chim Pai Bon Pai (Tasting and Grumbling) and Yok Khayong Hok Mong Chao (All Set at 6am) cooking programmes. The court said there was proof that Mr Samak, when prime minister, continued to do the shows and to receive remuneration from the producer, Face Media.

This meant that Mr Samak worked for the company by definition of Article 267. This article prohibits a prime minister from holding any position in a partnership, company or an organisation carrying out business with a view to sharing profits or income, or being an employee of any person.

The meaning of "employee" in the charter is broader than definitions of the term in other laws, the court said.

The court said the spirit of the constitution is to make sure the prime minister and cabinet ministers carry out their jobs properly and to protect against conflicts of interest.

The court said only the prime ministership of Mr Samak is terminated. Other cabinet ministers shall remain in office and continue their duties until a new prime minister and a new cabinet are sworn in.

www.bangkokpost.com

Thai Court Forces Premier From Office Over TV Cooking Show

Narong Sangnak/European Pressphoto Agency

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej visiting a market in Udon Thani province on Tuesday. A court ordered him to resign for violating the Constitution.

By SETH MYDANS

Published: September 9, 2008

BANGKOK — Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was forced from office on Tuesday when a court ruled that he had violated the Constitution by accepting payments to appear on cooking shows while in office.

His party said it would nominate Mr. Samak to succeed himself, an outcome that would seem to defy the spirit of the court ruling and to ensure that Thailand’s political crisis would continue.

Anti-government protesters cheered and wept when the verdict was read over radio and television, but there was no sign that they would end a two-week standoff in which they have blockaded the prime minister’s office.

The confrontation has hobbled the government, hit financial markets, damaged the country’s vital tourist trade and raised fears of violence or a possible military coup.

“P.P.P. will propose Samak as prime minister on the grounds that he’s the party leader, and the wrongdoing was petty and not triggered by mismanagement,” said Witthaya Buranasiri, an official of Mr. Samak’s People Power Party.

Mr. Samak made no immediate comment, but he has said he would abide by the court’s ruling. Parliament is scheduled to choose a new prime minister on Friday, with all parties eligible to put forward candidates.

“Samak was ousted by the court, but there is no guarantee he will not return in the next few days,” said Surhyiyasai Katsila, a spokesman for the People’s Alliance for Democracy, which is leading the protests.

The protesters accuse Mr. Samak of corruption and incompetence and say he is a stand-in for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup two years ago.

Mr. Thaksin is in London, where he is seeking political asylum in an attempt to evade corruption charges. He says the charges are politically motivated.

Mr. Samak’s government is made up primarily of supporters of Mr. Thaksin, and Mr. Samak has advertised himself publicly as a stand-in for Mr. Thaksin, who remains hugely popular among Thailand’s majority of poor and rural voters.

Until a new prime minister is seated, an interim government will be led by a brother-in-law of Mr. Thaksin, Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who is also minister of education.

The head of the nine-judge Constitutional Court panel, Chat Chonlaworn, read out the unanimous verdict on Tuesday, saying Mr. Samak had violated a constitutional ban on private employment while in office. “His position as prime minister has ended,” he said.

Judge Chat said that Mr. Samak had given conflicting testimony on Monday as to whether he had been paid a salary or expenses and that there had been an attempt to fabricate evidence and “to hide his actions.”

Mr. Samak had defended himself in court, saying he had not been an employee of the television station and had not earned a salary. “I did it because I liked doing it,” he said.

He was paid $2,350 for four shows on a program called “Tasting and Complaining,” according to testimony by the managing director of the company producing the show. Mr. Samak had been host of the show for seven years but gave it up in April, more than two months after being sworn in as prime minister.

Even if he is reinstated, Mr. Samak’s legal troubles will not be over. He faces three charges of corruption that have not yet reached the courts and he is appealing a two-year prison sentence for defamation for accusing Bangkok’s deputy governor of corruption. Conviction in any of these cases could also force him to step down.

The appeal in the defamation case is scheduled to be heard on Sept. 25, when Mr. Samak plans to address the United Nations in New York. The court said he would face an arrest warrant if he did not appear. Mr. Samak has said he is confident that he will not be ousted while he is away.

In addition to these court cases, the independent Election Commission ruled last week that Mr. Samak’s party had committed electoral fraud last December and should be dissolved. The Constitutional Court is set to decide that case soon.

A version of this article appeared in print on September 10, 2008, on page A8 of the New York edition.

www.nytimes.com

Thai Leader Resigns Over TV Cooking Show

By SETH MYDANS

Published: September 9, 2008

BANGKOK — A Thai court ruled Tuesday that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej had violated the Constitution by appearing as the host on a television cooking show, forcing him to resign after just seven months in office.

The ruling brought a sudden and unexpected end, at least for the moment, to Mr. Samak’s confrontation with thousands of protesters who have occupied the grounds of his office for two weeks, demanding his resignation.

It was not clear how the protesters would react to the court ruling, but they have added conditions for an end to their protest and have declared they are seeking an overhaul of the entire Thai political system.

Mr. Samak’s party said it would renominate him to resume his post. "I insist that our party leader will be the prime minister," said Wittaya Buranasiri, a party official.

But that was not a certainty, and his party was already reported to be maneuvering to find a replacement for him. The entire cabinet is required to resign along with him, but will remain as a caretaker government for 30 days.

A hardened and sharp-tongued politician, Mr. Samak, 73, has shown a folksy side on his televised cooking show _ "Tasting and Complaining" _ stirring up personal recipes and sounding off on topics that catch his interest.

"I have done nothing wrong," the prime minister told the Constitutional Court on Monday. "I was hired to appear on the program and got paid from time to time. I was not an employee of the company."

He said, "I did it because I liked doing it."

Mr. Samak made just a few appearances on the show after becoming prime minister seven months ago, but that was enough for a group of opposition senators, who brought his case to the Counter-Corruption Commission, which forwarded it to the Constitutional Court. The accusation against Mr. Samak was that he had violated a constitutional prohibition against private employment while in office.

The charge of cooking against the rules is a curious one, given the allegations of gigantic corruption that surround other government figures.

The courts in Thailand have become an active part of the political scene, and have charged former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in several corruption cases.

Mr. Thaksin fled to London last month to avoid appearing in court and has applied for political asylum.

Mr. Samak also faces three charges of corruption that have not yet reached the courts and he is appealing a three-year prison sentence for defamation of Bangkok’s deputy governor, Samart Rapholasit.

Conviction in any of these cases would also force him to step down.

In addition, another independent agency, the Election Commission, ruled last week that Mr. Samak’s party, the People Power Party, had committed electoral fraud in an election last December and should be dissolved. That case is also expected to be heard by the Constitutional Court.

The New York Time

Government reels as Tej hands in his resignation

Samak to address the nation this morning

POST REPORTERS

Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag tendered his resignation letter yesterday _ a move which could accelerate the fall of the government.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej plans to go on national radio at 7.30am today to talk about the political situation, according to a reliable source.

Diplomatic sources said Mr Tej quit because he was upset with the political events of the past several days, during which a state of emergency was declared in Bangkok after a bloody clash between supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and members of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) early Tuesday morning.

One person, confirmed to be a UDD supporter, was killed.

A highly-placed source at the ministry, however, said Mr Tej resigned because he needed time to nurse his ailing wife.

The resignation letter was submitted to Mr Samak through Deputy Prime Minister Sahas Bunditkul.

The source said Mr Samak has put the resignation on hold, but Mr Tej will not be going to work. Mr Tej could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Tej: Said to be upset

with government

The diplomatic sources said whatever the reason for Mr Tej's resignation, his departure would certainly plunge the beleaguered Samak government into further turmoil.

Mr Tej, a respected bureaucrat and adviser to His Majesty's principal private secretary, gave the government's image a lift when he agreed to become foreign minister on July 27.

The sources said it was agreed Mr Tej was one of the government's last strands of credibility and his resignation may be construed by anti-government members as an inspiration to intensify acts of civil disobedience.

Asean secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan expressed concern over Mr Tej's resignation.

''I am also concerned that it will affect Thailand's role as Asean chairman. I hope a clear political picture emerges soon,'' he said in a written comment.

''Either a new foreign minister is appointed soon or an assignment is given to a deputy PM to take full charge of foreign affairs.''

Former deputy foreign minister Sukhumband Paribatra, who is now the Democrat party's shadow foreign minister, said it was possible Mr Tej had grown weary of answering questions from the foreign press about the unrelenting political crisis in Thailand.

''It doesn't look good for the government that a figure of such stature has called it quits,'' he said.

Mr Sukhumband said Mr Samak must find a replacement for Mr Tej within 24 hours, someone who can work straight away, because there are many regional meetings coming up, including the 14th Asean summit in December. Mr Tej resigned the day after his secretary Poksak Nilubol handed in his resignation.

''I resigned because I cannot work under a government leadership which assumes no responsibility for what's going on in the country,'' said Mr Poksak.

A number of MPs from the ruling People Power party agreed that without Mr Tej the government would have little chance to cling on to power.

Sakda Kongpetch, a Roi Et MP, said Mr Tej's exit would be a catalyst for a House dissolution. Mr Samak is not likely to survive the political onslaught.

Despite the imposition of the state of emergency, the government had failed to regain access to Government House, which remains occupied by PAD protesters.

He predicted that with the passage of the Budget Bill, expected today, the opportunity had arisen for a House dissolution, even though no MP wants fresh elections right now.

PPP deputy leader Karn Thienkaew said although the government could function under the circumstances, the situation could spin out of control and that would make a House dissolution necessary. But it was up to the prime minister to decide the course of action.

Panya Sripanya, PPP MP for Khon Kaen, however, said a House dissolution is not likely because it is an option not favoured by either the PAD or other government opponents. However, internal pressure within the PPP could build for Mr Samak to be replaced.

http://www.bangkokpost.com

Prime minister proposes Thai referendum

Anti-government demonstrators listening to a live radio speech by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej of Thailand, who vowed not to resign.(David Longstreath/The Associate Press)

By Seth Mydan Published: September 4, 2008



BANGKOK: Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said Thursday that he would hold a nationwide referendum in the hope of ending a protest calling for his removal that has blocked his office for the past 10 days.

He said the specific questions of the referendum had not been determined. Critics said the move was a delaying tactic as the government struggled to find a way out of the impasse.

With thousands of demonstrators blocking the entrance to his office, Samak has had to find other locations to conduct government business, including a cabinet meeting Thursday during which the referendum was agreed upon.

Late Thursday night, gunmen opened fire at a group of about 200 university students who were marching to the prime minister's residence to demand his resignation, a Thai news Web site reported. Two of the students were reported wounded.

Samak said the vote would gauge public support for his government and for the demonstrators. But he said a special law would first have to be passed in the Senate to allow the referendum to
go ahead.

"While waiting for the results of the referendum, the protesters can demonstrate," he said, speaking on a radio program. "I can wait."

Addressing the nation earlier in the day, Samak acknowledged the humiliation of being barred from his office.

"Am I ashamed that my office has been taken over?" he said. "I have to say, yes, I'm ashamed. It is not convenient to work outside, but I can do it."

The remarks came in an hourlong broadcast in which he denied rumors that he would step down. The Thursday edition of The Nation newspaper carried a headline ahead of his address that read: "Samak on Brink of Exit."

He responded with bitter humor, saying, "I have to apologize to the disappointed people who were waiting for me to announce my resignation today."

He said a relatively small group of demonstrators was attempting to overturn the will of the majority, who voted his party into office last December.

"I have to stay in order to preserve democracy and to protect the monarchy," he said, adding, "I have done nothing wrong."

Responding to Samak's address, one of the protest leaders, Sondhi Limthongkul, told the crowd that the prime minister was "lying again" and that he wanted to throw up, according to a Thai news agency.

With the nation divided and his government under pressure, Samak confirmed that Foreign Minister Tej Bunnat had resigned after just seven weeks in office. He said Tej had acted under pressure from "high-ranking people" who oppose his government.

Thailand faces a deadline of sorts for restoring order in the streets and in the government. It has just taken over the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the leaders of its 10 member-nations are to meet here in December.

The protests, which began in May and escalated last week with the takeover of Samak's office, have been organized by the People's Alliance for Democracy, a coalition of various groups that seek his ouster.

At its core is a royalist establishment that has been at odds with supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. They say he was trying to monopolize power and was using his position to increase his wealth.

Demonstrations by the alliance weakened Thaksin before he was ousted in a coup in September 2006. The alliance accuses Samak of being a proxy for Thaksin and is seeking to remove him as well.

Thaksin is seeking political asylum in Britain after fleeing corruption charges in Thailand. The demonstrators say Samak's government plans to allow Thaksin to return and evade conviction in court.

http://www.iht.com

Thais take to the streets

A government supporter throwing rocks at demonstrators. In the wake of the clashes, the Thai Army chief condemned the violence and vowed that the military would not use force against civilians.
Adrees Latif/Reuters



An antigovernment demonstrator kicked a government supporter Sept. 2, 2008.
Kerek Wongsa/Reuters





Days later, pro-government demonstrators, wearing red, joined the mix. They shouted slogans at a rally outside Parliament on Sunday, Aug. 31, above.
Vincent Yu/The Associated Press



As the tension mounted Friday, Aug. 29, the Thai police used tear gas on crowds of antigovernment protesters occupying the prime minister's office. The move sparked scuffles that left several people with minor injuries.
Wason Wanichakorn/The Associated Press



The antigovernment group pushes past police barricades near the Royal Plaza on Friday, Aug. 29. An alliance of middle class Thais and supporters of the monarchy, the group wears yellow, the color of the king.
David Longstreath


The violence comes more than a week after an antigovernment group called the People's Alliance for Democracy stormed the gates of Government House in Bangkok. On Aug. 26, several several thousand people, demanding Samak's resignation, camped on the lawn.
Sakchai Lalit/The Associated Press

Thai military police officers standing watch early Tuesday. The emergency decree empowers the army to restore order with the assistance of the police.
Ed Wray/The Associated Press




Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej during a news conference on the emergency decree. The order bans gatherings, meetings or any activities that might disturb public order.
The Associated Press



Antigovernment campaigners dragged an injured government supporter through Bangkok. The fighting left one man dead and dozens injured, prompting the Thai prime the streets of minister, Samak Sundaravej, to declare a state of emergency.
Sakchai Lalit/The Associated Press


A government supporter pointed a slingshot at antigovernment demonstrators Tuesday. The violence escalated a confrontation between the government and protesters, who, in an effort to bring about the prime minister's resignation, have occupied the grounds of his office for more than a week.
Wason Wanichakorn/The Associated Press

Sondhi gives first hint of compromise

Members of the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship march to Makkhawan Rangsan bridge, a key protest site of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy.






PAD members trade insults with UDD rivals before they clash near Makkhawan Rangsan bridge.







Action plan to solve conflict - but only if Samak steps down / Army chief reluctant to use state of emergency powers / PM insists decree is best way to restore law and order

People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) core member Sondhi Limthongkul yesterday showed the first signs of a compromise to end the political stand-off.

Tensions were heightened by a fatal clash yesterday between rival protesters and the imposition of the state of emergency.

The possibility of a solution came after army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, who has been appointed to head a committee to enforce the government's emergency decree, denied adopting tough measures to disperse PAD demonstrators from Government House.

In an exclusive interview with the Bangkok Post, Mr Sondhi said he was contemplating a four-point compromise as the political situation appeared at a dead end.

However, he stressed that the proposal would be viable only after Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej stepped down from office.

According to Mr Sondhi, the government must promise not to amend the charter in its favour; to observe the Constitution Court's order regarding Preah Vihear temple; to suspend all mega-projects; and to commit itself to political reforms and increased public participation in politics.

"They must accept the four-point demand - and only if the prime minister is either Somchai Wongsawat or Surapong Suebwonglee," said Mr Sondhi.

He also said the emergency decree would backfire on Mr Samak, as the army chief, who has been granted control over Bangkok, is unwilling to use the power.

He said Mr Samak was likely to resign in the next few days.

At Government House, the rally continued in defiance of the state of emergency, prompted by the clash which left one dead and 43 others injured.

The dead man was identified as UDD member Narongsak Krobthaisong, 55, according to the Narenthorn Emergency Response Centre.

Gen Anupong told a press conference after a meeting between senior military and police officers that officials would not exercise powers granted by the emergency decree to end PAD demonstration.

"Negotiations will be used in ending the problem, not simply the force of law," he said.

"If the people are united, the army is one with the people. When the people are divided, there is no place for the army. The army has to find an acceptable way out for the divided camps, and without any losses."

He said unarmed military and police personnel would maintain law and order.

"Only legal and democratic means should be used to solve the stand-off. Legislative branch or parliament should be responsible to end this problem," he said.

Mr Samak defended his decision to impose the state of emergency, saying he carefully consulted all parties concerned for two hours before announcing the decree.

He said the decree would not be enforced for a long period, but gave no time frame as to when it would be lifted.

Mr Samak said he considered the decree to be the best and most gentle measure to restore law and order, even though it could cause some trouble for people.

"I do this to douse the fire. When it is done, everything will return to normal. People went about their business as usual until last night's incident. I had to use the instruments at my disposal. It will only be enforced for a short while," Mr Samak said.

The declaration of the state of emergency has triggered calls for Mr Samak to resign.

Academics, media outlets and civil groups issued statements, calling on the premier to quit.

However, a group of Thammasat University lecturers broke ranks and demanded a House dissolution instead.

Somkiat Pongpaiboon, another PAD core member, said the alliance would not negotiate with Gen Anupong or any other individual or group appointed by the government.

News from www.bangkokpost.com

Emergency is declared in Bangkok

By Seth Mydans and Thomas Fuller

Published: September 2, 2008

Thai soldiers blocking near the Government House in Bangkok early Tuesday morning. (Wason Wanichakorn/The Associated Press)

BANGKOK: Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej imposed a state ofemergency Tuesday in Bangkok after groups of demonstrators clashed on the street, but he called it "the most gentle way to bring the country back to peace" and said it would be in force for only a short time.

The prime minister, who has been under pressure to resign from a weeklong occupation of the grounds of his office compound, imposed the emergency after a predawn street fight between pro-government and anti-government groups that left at least one person dead and dozens injured.

Shortly afterward, in another blow to the government, the Election Commission recommended that Samak's People Power Party be disbanded for electoral fraud.

The vote in the five-member commission was unanimous in recommending that the Supreme Court disband the party because of vote buying in last December's general election.

The ruling, which could bring down the government, could take months to make its way through the courts.

Samak ordered troops into the streets to reinforce riot police officers, but after quelling the violence, they withdrew and the area around the prime minister's office was calm in mid-morning.

The street fighting escalated a confrontation between the government and protesters who had occupied the grounds of the prime minister's office for a week. It was the first serious violence in what had become a stubborn class struggle between the Thai middle class and a beleaguered government backed by a business and financial elite acting in the name of Thailand's poor.

The protest broadened Monday when labor unions representing 200,000 workers at 43 state enterprises said they would cut off water, electricity and telephone service to government offices beginning Wednesday. Thai Airways employees said they would delay flights beginning Wednesday, and transportation workers said they would halt service on 80 percent of Bangkok's 3,800 buses.

The announced job actions came on the 100th day of street protests demanding the resignation of Samak, whom protesters accuse of corruption and incompetence and of being a front man for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Inside the grounds of Samak's compound, Chamlong Srimuang, a former army general and governor of Bangkok who has led the anti-government protests, was defiant in the face of the state of emergency.

"We must fight. We will not go anywhere," he said shortly after it was declared. "We will be here. There are not enough prisons to detain us."

The state of emergency does not impose a curfew but it bans gatherings of more than five people and meetings or any activities that might disturb the public order. The order also bars any news reports, published materials or any other media that could cause misunderstanding or that would affect the stability of the state. The army chief and the chief of police were given charge of Bangkok.

The early morning clash occurred when supporters of the government pushed through a police line and battled protesters in a melee that involved sticks, clubs, slingshots and firearms.

Among the injured, four were in serious condition, including two with gunshot wounds. The violence eased only when troops with riot gear arrived to reinforce the police.

Thaksin, a billionaire telecommunications tycoon, was forced from power in a coup two years ago. He fled last month to London, where he is seeking political asylum in the hope of avoiding court cases in Thailand accusing him of corruption and abuse of power.

"This action is unavoidable," Sawit Kaewwan, secretary general of a federation of unions representing state employees, said in announcing the planned cutoff of utilities. "It is the way to protect our basic democratic rights."

Democracy has become a rallying cry in recent days. But while both the government and its opponents espouse the ideal, neither side has a purely democratic vision. Thailand's progress toward representative democracy peaked a decade ago with the passage of a liberal Constitution and has been in retreat since.

"The People's Alliance for Democracy is not a pro-democracy movement," said Charles Keyes, an expert on Thailand at the University of Washington in Seattle, referring to the group that is leading the protests.

According to Keyes and other scholars, the movement in Thailand is not a broadly popular uprising like those in the Philippines that ousted governments, but rather the product of a relatively small alliance uniting several agendas. It pits a modern middle class allied with supporters of the monarchy against a business and financial elite that is championing the nation's rural and unskilled poor.

The unionists now joining the anti-government movement are part of the contemporary middle class benefiting from Thailand's modern economy.

The protests are also a battleground between the mostly rural poor and the middle-class establishment. The divide has deepened since Thaksin courted a poor constituency as a foundation of power.

It is taken for granted here that the pro-Thaksin government would win a new election because it has the support of the rural and urban poor, a clear majority of the Thai electorate. This makes a democratic election less attractive for the anti-government group. Protest leaders mostly speak for the middle class, in an alliance of convenience with a royalist establishment that feels threatened by the emerging power of the poor.

Until Tuesday's clashes, the confrontation had been remarkably bloodless, though the possibility of violence hung over the standoff. Some protesters had armed themselves; a small bomb exploded early Monday not far from the protest site. No one was hurt, but the bomb was seen as a warning of possible future actions. On Sunday supporters of the Samak government took to the streets in counterprotest. Parliament also convened in an emergency session.

Samak, a veteran of decades of Thai politics, had taken pains to say he would handle the protesters gently. He was believed to feel constrained by the brutal role he played in ordering a massacre of student demonstrators in 1976.

The response of the Thai military is always a question, but although there has been talk of a coup — which would be the 18th in Thailand's history — most analysts say it seems unlikely for now.

After its ouster of Thaksin two years ago, the military installed a civilian government that was widely accused of being incompetent and ineffectual. Last December, the generals relinquished power and held a parliamentary election. Backers of Thaksin won the election, and Samak was named prime minister.