PAD celebrates but will fight on

People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday vowed to continue its anti-government rally even though Samak Sundaravej was stripped of the premiership by the Constitution Court.

''The PAD will continue its rally until all dishonest politicians under the Thaksin regime are rooted out,'' core PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk told the demonstrators minutes after the charter court handed down its verdict.

The PAD also warned parliament, which will convene on Friday to vote for a new prime minister, not to propose ''any person with a blemished record or who violated the constitution to head the government.''

The group also condemned the ruling People Power party's resolution to support Mr Samak again as prime minister.

If Mr Samak returned, it would be like ''bringing a corpse back to politics,'' said PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila.

In its statement released yesterday, the PAD said Mr Samak's breach of the charter proved he and his ''puppet cabinet'' were no longer fit to run the country.

The PAD will maintain its mission to guard the constitution and support all attempts to bring about political change by any groups which intend to protect the 2007 constitution and to solve problems caused by the Thaksin regime and its proxy government via the judicial system, the statement said.

The PAD will join these groups to call for the judicial process in corruption cases against Mr Thaksin and his associates as well as lese majeste charges against Jakrapob Penkair and Veera Musikapong to be speeded up.

They also demanded the abrogation of the joint Thai-Cambodian communique that, they said, compels Thailand to give up the Preah Vihear temple and its surrounding area to Cambodia.

Undeterred by heavy rainfall at Government House, PAD supporters stood in ankle-deep water to listen to the verdict on Mr Samak.

Loud cheering and applause broke out when it was announced that the court had decided to disqualify Mr Samak, who was found guilty of violating the charter.

People rushed out of their tents, shook each other's hands, clapped and danced.

''I'm deeply satisfied today. The verdict shows the court is still what we can rely on,'' said Nantapong Ranjuan, a 46-year-old resident of Surin, who travelled hundreds of kilometres from his home town to join the rally, which has lasted more than 100 days so far.

The cheering lasted for around 20 minutes. It went on for so long that PAD leaders had to try to calm them down and even asked them to stop.

''Please don't be glad that Mr Samak is gone,'' core PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk told the demonstrators.

He was advising caution because it was still unclear whether the House would vote for Mr Samak to come back.

Sondhi Limthongkul, another PAD core leader said: ''We've come too far to back off.

''We saw a sign of victory today when Mr Samak was disqualified.''

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