MONGKOL BANGPRAPA
Puea Pandin leader Pol Gen Pracha Promnok raised several eyebrows yesterday when he cast a vote for himself, instead of abstaining as is the custom. Journalists in a press room monitoring the vote gasped in collective awe when the former police chief uttered ''Pracha Promnok'' during the roll call.
Candidates nominated for the prime ministerial post and the House Speaker traditionally abstain.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and House Speaker Chai Chidchob yesterday both abstained from voting.
It was speculated that Pol Gen Pracha decided to vote for himself because he was unsure he would receive adequate support _ as proved to be the case.
Hours before the crucial vote, both candidates could still not be sure of the outcome. But the Democrat party seemed to have a psychological upper hand.
Four small parties and a faction earlier held a press conference to voice support for Mr Abhisit. And members of Friends of Newin, a breakaway faction from the dissolved People Power party, were seated in a strategic position, surrounded by Democrat MPs during the vote.
Appointed Senator Prasarn Maruekpitak disagreed with Pol Gen Pracha's breaking from the traditional practice.
His view was echoed by former senator Chirmsak Pinthong.
''We should let others say whether or not we are fitted for the post. We do not say it ourselves,'' Mr Chirmsak said.
From www.bangkokpost.com
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