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Thai ruling party sacks Samak

Associated Press - September 11, 2008

Thailand's ruling party has abandoned its bid to put ousted prime minister Samak Sundarvej back in power, raising hopes of ending a political crisis that has tied up the country for months.

After a daylong meeting, the People's Power Party agreed it will not endorse Samak for a parliamentary vote on Wednesday to elect a new prime minister because of opposition from the other five parties in the ruling coalition. About 70 MPs of Samak's own party also opposed him.

The abrasive 73-year-old Samak was booted out Tuesday by a Constitutional Court ruling for violating a conflict-of-interest law by hosting two television cooking shows while in office.

Initially, the party had said it would re-nominate him since the court ruling did not bar him from politics.

"We have come to a resolution that since the coalition partners and some of the party members do not agree with appointing Samak", the party would have to pick someone else, said party spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang.

The Nation newspaper, quoting an unidentified source, said on its web site that Samak had agreed to withdraw from the race, and might even quit the party.

The surprise decision was a clear sign that Samak is seen by the ruling party as a liability. He is the focus of massive protests by an anti-government group, the People's Alliance for Democracy, whose occupation of the Government House has increased fears of instability, economic chaos and even a military coup.

Kuthep said the party has short-listed three candidates to replace Samak – acting Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat and Finance Minister Surapong Seubwonglee.

He did not say when the party will decide on the final candidate to contest the vote in Parliament. There was also no immediate word from the coalition partners but they are likely to accept anyone as long as it was not Samak.

Samak, a coarse politician who has antagonised virtually every Thai institution including the military and the media, has become one of the most divisive characters in Thai politics.

His troubles began soon after he took office in February when the People's Alliance for Democracy – made up of the urban elite – began protesting his appointment, saying he won the December election by manipulating illiterate rural voters.

Thousands of alliance members stormed and occupied the Government House on Aug. 26. They say they will not leave until it is clear that Samak or his cronies will not return to office. They did not immediately comment on the latest development.

Somchai, the acting prime minister, said a state of emergency in Bangkok will not be lifted until the protesters leave the Government House, which houses the prime minister's office.

The protesters call Samak a pawn of disgraced former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup following massive street protests they led in 2006. It was Thailand's 18th coup since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.

The People's Power Party has 233 MPs in the 480-seat Parliament, but 10 are disqualified from voting, leaving it 18 short of a majority. The other five parties in the coalition control 83 seats, while the opposition Democrat Party has 164 seats.

The parliament tried to convene earlier Friday to elect Samak's replacement but had to be adjourned after the session was boycotted by the coalition partners.

Opposition Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said "it's time to get the country out of its crisis, and to do that we need leaders with a fresh attitude."

"The people are hurting, the economy is hurting. And, unless we are open-minded about what kind of solutions are available, we can't take things forward."

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