Thai king endorses new PM
29/01/2008 12:33  - (SA)  

Want to know more? Answerit can help.

'The people have had their say' Thai election forces coalition Thaksin allies in the lead

Bangkok - Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Tuesday approved the election of Samak Sundaravej as prime minister, paving the way for the formation of new government.

On Monday Thailand's parliament voted 310 to 163 in favour of Samak, 72, becoming the country's 25th prime minister since 1932, when the country opted for a democratic system under a constitutional monarchy.

King Bhumibol, 80, as head of state, must endorse government officials for their posts to become official.

The premiership marks the pinnacle of Samak's long political career which has spanned four decades and included numerous ministerial posts and administrative posts including that of Bangkok governor between 2000 to 2004.

Samak's career has not been without controversy. He is still under investigation for signing a purchase agreement for unusually pricey firetrucks from an Austrian firm when he was governor and is in the process of appealing a defamation conviction that entails a two-year prison sentence.

Samak became the lead candidate for the premiership after his People Power Party (PPP) won more than 230 out of 480 contested seats in the December 23 general election and put together a six-party coalition that is expected to form a government by mid-February.

Samak has hinted that besides the premiership he wants to hold the sensitive post of Defence Minister.

'The coup is dead'

The victory of the PPP, which campaigned on the platform of promising a safe return for Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted by a coup on September 19 2006, was seen as a clear slap in the face for the military, which has been a pivotal player in Thailand's tumultuous path to democracy over the past 76 years.

"The coup is dead," bragged Samak after his electoral victory. "Now the people have had their say."

Political observers have cautioned that Samak and his new government may not last long if they are too aggressive in bringing Thaksin back to power and seeking revenge on the coup makers, who had the backing of many elite groups in Thailand.

Thaksin, who is seen as the power behind Samak, is scheduled to return to Thailand in April or May to face charges of corruption and abuse of power. - Sapa-dpa

What is this? Yahoo Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Brought to you by OUTsurance Car Insurance
	News24 Headlines on your Facebook profile		News24 on mobile