Thai PM faces verdict on cooking sideline
Thailand’s prime minister awaited a Constitutional Court verdict today on whether he will be forced out of office for hosting TV cooking shows – yet another twist in a deepening national political crisis.
“Ready or not – I have to wait and see,” Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej told reporters in the northeast town of Udon Thani, his party’s stronghold where he was holding the Cabinet’s weekly meeting.
He said he did not plan to appear in court today, but added, “I have no choice but to honour the court order”.
Mr Samak, a self-proclaimed foodie, hosted a popular television cooking show - “Tasting and Complaining” – for seven years before becoming prime minister.
But he also made several appearances after taking office, allegedly breaking a constitutional prohibition on private employment while in office.
In testimony to the court yesterday, Mr Samak defended himself by saying he was not an employee of the company that made the show.
“I was hired to appear on the programme and got paid from time to time. I was not an employee of the company so I did not violate the law,” said Mr Samak. He said the television company paid only for his transportation and the ingredients used for cooking.
Sakchai Khaewwaneesakul, the managing director of the company that produced the show, said he paid the prime minister $560 (€397) per show for incidental expenses.
If found guilty of contravening the constitution, Mr Samak would have to resign, an outcome that could allow him to exit without succumbing to pressure from protesters who have occupied the grounds of his office complex since August 26, demanding he step down.
