Sacked prime minister Samak Sundaravej has accepted the People Power party's decision to again nominate him to lead the government, high ranking sources in the coalition parties said last night.
The Constitution Court yesterday 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.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/100908_News/10Sep2008_news01.php
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