Samak is (almost) back

Two days after being kicked out of office by the Constitution Court, Samak Sundaravej is on the verge of becoming prime minister again.

Mr Samak on Thursday accepted a formal invitation by the People Power party to have his name put up for nomination as premier when parliament meets on Friday.

The decision to nominate him again was taken at a PPP meeting on Thursday, and transmitted to Mr Samak by a top-ranking party delegation sent to his house, said PPP deputy spokesman Suthin Klangsang.

"Mr Samak has accepted his nomination for prime minister," Mr Suthin told reporters. "He said he is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and that he is happy to accept the post."

The controversial re-nomination is certain to raise more opposition before MPs meet Friday morning. Anti-government protesters, business, and media editorials have called on Mr Samak not to run for premier again, after being ordered to resign by the Constitution Court on Tuesday.

On Thursday, anti-Samak forces got a hint of support from the army chief.

Gen Anupong Paojinda called on Thursday for the end of a state of emergency in Bangkok, imposed by Mr Samak, and said he would welcome formation of a unity government involving all political parties and perhaps outsiders. Such a "national government" appears unlikely, however.

The court disqualified Mr Samak from the post because he violated the constitution by hosting two cooking shows on commercial television.

The decision came just a few hours after the PPP resolved to re-elect the sacked premier for the top job in the government.

Shortly before Mr Samak announced his decision, representatives of six coalition parties held a joint news conference to announced their decision to continue to form a government alliance with the ruling People Power party (PPP) at its head. In effect, PPP gets to name the cabinet, as before.

They all agreed to support the person nominated by PPP as the leader of the government.

The meeting was chaired by Deputy PPP leader Somchai Wongsawat - currently the acting prime minister and the man most likely to become premier if Mr Samak decides not to stand, or is defated.

Representatives of Matchimathipataya, Pracharaj, Chart Thai, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana and Puea Pandin parties announced that they will support whomever the PPP nominates for the prime minister's post.

At the press conference on Thursday afternoon, Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissananantakul and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro said the next prime minister who will be nominated on Friday must be able to solve the political crises.

The five coalition parties however plan to hold another meeting on Thursday evening to discuss the PPP’s premier nomination.