Thailand’s Samak Isolated as Political Allies Desert Him

By SUTIN WANNABOVORN / AP WRITER

BANGKOK — Political allies of Thailand's ousted prime minister deserted him Friday in his bid to return to power in a parliamentary vote, leaving him isolated following his removal by a court for violating conflict-of-interest rules.

A Parliament vote to elect a replacement for Samak Sundaravej was postponed until Wednesday for lack of quorum after all five partners in the ruling coalition boycotted the session. About 70 lawmakers of his People's Power Party also said before the session they would vote against him.

The surprise revolt was the first clear sign that Samak's support was eroding amid a tense political crisis that has gripped the country for weeks, raising fears of instability, economic chaos and even a military coup.

Acting Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said the PPP would meet later Friday to "find a better candidate who will be acceptable to our coalition partners and our party members."

"The PPP has the legal right to form the coalition government. Even though our partners boycotted the meeting today, they boycotted the person (Samak) not the principle of staying together to form a new coalition," he said.

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.

The decision by the PPP to re-nominate him was opposed by his five coalition partners and the opposition Democrat Party, all of which boycotted Friday's session in the 480-member House of Representatives.

Speaker Chai Chidchob postponed the vote to Wednesday, saying legislative rules required at least 235 members to be present. The announcement was preceded by confusion and drama with Chai initially saying he was delaying the session because only 161 members were present.

About 20 minutes later he called the house in session, saying 259 members were present as Democrat Party lawmakers trooped in and out of the chamber, causing more confusion. Chai then held a recount that brought down the number once again to 161.

"I hope the PPP will learn a lesson from today that they should not challenge the power of people," said Suthep Thaugsuban, the secretary-general of the Democrat Party.

He said the party is ready to form the next government if members of the ruling coalition switch sides and join it.

Samak, a coarse politician who has antagonized 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 a strident anti-government group made up of the urban elite began protesting his appointment, saying he won the December election by manipulating illiterate rural voters.

Thousands of members of the group, the People's Alliance for Democracy, 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.

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 lawmakers 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.

If the coalition fractures completely, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva could emerge as a viable candidate for the prime minister's post. Abhisit previously suggested he would be willing to lead a nonpartisan unity government of all parties.

"It's time to get the country out of its crisis, and to do that we need leaders with a fresh attitude," Abhisit said. "The people are hurting, the economy is hurting. And, unless we are open-minded about what kind of solutions is available, we can't take things forward."