'Gang of four' politicians get first taste of defeat

The so-called ''gang of four'' politicians inside the People Power party (PPP) were given their first taste of defeat yesterday when a House meeting in search of a new prime minister took a surprise turn.

The House session was cut short when the five coalition partners, along with about 70 dissidents in the PPP, revolted against the proposed nomination of Samak Sundaravej as prime minister.

They did not show up at the meeting, which resulted in the House of Representatives lacking a quorum to endorse the nomination.

The meeting was adjourned until Wednesday.

The twist comes as a blow to the so-called 'gang of four' and shuts the door on Mr Samak's chances of returning to lead the government after he was disqualified from the job of prime minister by the Constitution Court for breaching the charter by hosting paid-for cooking shows on commercial television.

Samak: Said to have thrown in the towel

The gang of four _ as they are called by the PPP's Isan Pattana faction _ are said to be Mr Samak, his secretary-general Theerapol Nopparampa, Finance Minister and PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee and Newin Chidchob, a veteran politician and former Thai Rak Thai MP who controls a large faction of northeastern MPs in the PPP.

Since many party members and coalition partners have now made it clear they will put up resistance to Mr Samak's return, the PPP must seek other options.

''Mr Samak needs a couple of days to make up his mind. If he agrees [to pull out], things will be easier,'' PPP deputy leader and Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat said yesterday.

A PPP source said Mr Samak had now thrown in the towel and would step aside to make way for the party to search for a new candidate.

PPP deputy leader and caretaker prime minister Somchai Wongsawat has been mentioned as a possible successor.

The source added Mr Samak may even consider quitting as party leader.

On Thursday night, Mr Somchai and Mr Surapong were working hard to make sure Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa supported the PPP's bid to form a new government. A source at Chart Thai said former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra contacted Mr Banharn and asked him to support Mr Samak.

The failed bid to vote for a new prime minister has exposed a deepening rift in the PPP between the gang of four and other factions led by Yaowapa Wongsawat, Yongyuth Tiyapairat, Paichit Sriworakhan, Preecha Rengsomboon, Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan and former Thai Rak Thai executive Chaturon Chaisaeng.

The conflict resulted from them being unhappy with Mr Newin's inclination to work the crowds that often put the PPP into confrontation with others.

Mr Preecha, a leader of the Isan Pattana faction, has promised his group will stop Mr Newin dominating the party at all costs.

A source close to the opponents of Mr Samak said Mr Thaksin tried to convince the dissident factions to close ranks around Mr Samak, but they refused.

Mr Newin's associates said Mr Newin and his faction have now been beaten.

''Mr Newin has admitted defeat and agreed to end infighting among party members.

''Actually, Mr Samak's opponents respect and accept Mr Samak, but they cannot stand Mr Theerapol, who is Mr Samak's close aide,'' the source said.

Mr Samak's weakness is that he refused to listen to anyone but Mr Theerapol.

This caused him to misjudge situations, particularly the position of the coalition partners.

The source added Mr Newin is now giving faction leaders such as Mr Yongyuth and Khunying Sudarat a free hand to run the party and they are expected to push for Mr Somchai to be prime minister.

The pendulum has now swung from Mr Newin to faction leaders such as Mr Yongyuth, Mrs Yaowapa and Khunying Sudarat, who now hold the reins of power in the PPP.

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