Thailand PM forced to quit after cooking show appearance

Thailand’s prime minister was forced to resign today along with his Cabinet after the Constitutional Court ruled that he had broken a conflict-of-interest law by hosting TV cooking shows while in office.

Thailand’s prime minister was forced to resign today along with his Cabinet after the Constitutional Court ruled that he had broken a conflict-of-interest law by hosting TV cooking shows while in office.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej’s supporters immediately vowed to bring him back to power, leaving Thailand in a deep political crisis that has virtually paralysed the government, spooked the financial markets and scared away tourists.

Chat Chonlaworn, the head of the Constitutional Court, ruled that Mr Samak’s Cabinet will remain in a caretaker position until a new administration is installed.

“The defendant has violated Article 267 of the constitution, and his position as prime minister has ended,” Mr Chat, the head of the nine-judge panel, said.

The judgment, broadcast live on television and radio, was greeted with loud cheers and claps from Mr Samak’s opponents who have occupied his office compound since August 26 to demand his resignation. Some protesters wept with emotion.

The 73-year-old Mr Samak, who has cooked for visiting leaders, hosted a popular television cooking show – Tasting and Complaining – for seven years before becoming prime minister earlier this year.

He made several appearances after taking office, breaking a constitutional prohibition on private employment while in office.

“His employment at the company can be considered an employment,” said Mr Chat.

Before the court began its session, Mr Samak said he would honour the verdict. He did not make any immediate comment.

In his defence, Mr Samak had claimed he was not an employee of the company that made the show and only received payment for his transportation and the ingredients used for cooking.

The verdict gave a new twist to Thailand’s political uncertainty that began in early 2006 when a group of royalists, urban residents and union activists, calling themselves the People’s Alliance for Democracy, started demonstrating against then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, accusing him of corruption.

The relentless demonstrations, led by media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul and four others, led to a military coup that ousted Mr Thaksin. The junta called elections in December 2007, which were won by a coalition of Mr Samak’s People’s Power Party and five other parties.

This triggered a fresh round of demonstrations by the alliance, which accuses Mr Samak of being a proxy for Mr Thaksin, who has fled to Britain to avoid corruption charges.

Mr Samak had refused to resign or call fresh elections, and many believed the court ruling could give him an opportunity to make a graceful exit without losing face.

Kuthep Saikrajang, the spokesman of Mr Samak’s party, said its members unanimously agreed to re-nominate Mr Samak in Parliament as their candidate for the prime minister’s post. But the final decision depends on Mr Samak as well on other parties in the ruling coalition, he said.

It is not clear whether this would again violate the constitution. Also, such a move could also inflame supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy.

There was also no sign that the alliance supporters would now vacate the Government House compound.

“Samak was ousted by the court, but there is no guarantee he will not return in the next few days. So our protest will continue for the time being,” said alliance spokesman Suriyasai Katasila.

Mr Samak is also facing other legal problems – the Election Commission has recommended that his party be dissolved for vote fraud, and he faces a defamation suit and three possible corruption cases.

Analysts were doubtful if today’s ruling would end Thailand’s political deadlock.

“It adds more colour to the ongoing conflict but is not significant enough to change anything. The confrontation will go on with no end in sight,” said Chaiwat Kamchoo, a political science lecturer at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University.

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