ID :
19173
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 12:04
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/19173
The shortlink copeid
SPLIT IN RULING THAI PARTY, OBJECTION OVER SAMAK CANDIDACY By By D. Arul Rajoo
BANGKOK, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- A split has occurred in the ruling People Power Party (PPP) after about one third of its law makers voiced their objection to a decision to renominate Samak Sundaravej as the prime minister two days after he was disqualified by the Constitution Court.
The group of about 70 members of parliament (MPs) from the north and
northeast, considered the power base of the party, has threatened to boycott the
parliament session Friday if PPP goes ahead with its decision to renominate
Samak.
Their spokesman, Preecha Rengsombunsuk, said Samak was not a suitable
choice as his re-election would only deepen the conflict.
The split came just hours after a majority of the 223 PPP MPs agreed to
endorse the 73-year-old Samak, who himself agreed to lead the country
again.
Despite an announcement Thursday afternoon that Samak had been chosen,
confusion reigned later when a press conference called by all the six parties in
the present coalition government to officially announce Samak's candidacy ended
without any announcement.
Instead, PPP deputy leader and acting prime minister Somchai Wonsawat said
an official announcement would be made later in the evening by the party's
secretary-general.
A party official said key leaders were still meeting following the latest
development and there was a possibility Friday's election for the post would
be postponed.
In fact, at least two of six coalition parties -- Chart Thai and Pracharaj
-- were not in favour of Samak.
On Tuesday, the nine-bench Constitution Court reached a unanimous decision
to disqualify Samak after they found him guilty of violating Article 267 of the
2007 Constitution by hosting the "Tasting and Grumbling" and "All Set at 6 am"
cooking programmes while still in office.
But the conviction does not stop him from being nominated again.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup
but has a strong grip on the party formed by his supporters, had called the law
makers from London this morning and asked them to back Samak as he was the only
one able to manage the current situation and protect democracy.
Thailand has been in political turmoil since Aug 26 when thousands of
anti-government protesters seized the Prime Minister's Office at Government
House.
They are still occupying the premises and had wanted Samak to resign as
they claimed he is a proxy of Thaksin.
There is growing speculation that PPP, which won 223 seats in the Dec 23
2007 election, would dissolve parliament soon to pave the way for a fresh
election.
Even if elected again, Samak still faces trouble as the Appeals Court would
hear his appeal against a 24-month jail sentence in a defamation case later this
month, while PPP itself could dissolve over allegations of election fraud by one
of its key leaders.
The group of about 70 members of parliament (MPs) from the north and
northeast, considered the power base of the party, has threatened to boycott the
parliament session Friday if PPP goes ahead with its decision to renominate
Samak.
Their spokesman, Preecha Rengsombunsuk, said Samak was not a suitable
choice as his re-election would only deepen the conflict.
The split came just hours after a majority of the 223 PPP MPs agreed to
endorse the 73-year-old Samak, who himself agreed to lead the country
again.
Despite an announcement Thursday afternoon that Samak had been chosen,
confusion reigned later when a press conference called by all the six parties in
the present coalition government to officially announce Samak's candidacy ended
without any announcement.
Instead, PPP deputy leader and acting prime minister Somchai Wonsawat said
an official announcement would be made later in the evening by the party's
secretary-general.
A party official said key leaders were still meeting following the latest
development and there was a possibility Friday's election for the post would
be postponed.
In fact, at least two of six coalition parties -- Chart Thai and Pracharaj
-- were not in favour of Samak.
On Tuesday, the nine-bench Constitution Court reached a unanimous decision
to disqualify Samak after they found him guilty of violating Article 267 of the
2007 Constitution by hosting the "Tasting and Grumbling" and "All Set at 6 am"
cooking programmes while still in office.
But the conviction does not stop him from being nominated again.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup
but has a strong grip on the party formed by his supporters, had called the law
makers from London this morning and asked them to back Samak as he was the only
one able to manage the current situation and protect democracy.
Thailand has been in political turmoil since Aug 26 when thousands of
anti-government protesters seized the Prime Minister's Office at Government
House.
They are still occupying the premises and had wanted Samak to resign as
they claimed he is a proxy of Thaksin.
There is growing speculation that PPP, which won 223 seats in the Dec 23
2007 election, would dissolve parliament soon to pave the way for a fresh
election.
Even if elected again, Samak still faces trouble as the Appeals Court would
hear his appeal against a 24-month jail sentence in a defamation case later this
month, while PPP itself could dissolve over allegations of election fraud by one
of its key leaders.
