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.

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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.