Thai PM testifies in court over cooking programmes

BANGKOK, Sept 8 (TNA) - Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Samak
Sundaravej appeared in the country's Constitution Court on Monday to
defend himself regarding his hosting of a television cooking programme by doing which he is accused of violating the Consitution.

Mr. Samak had hosted television cooking shows on a commercial television station in the past and continued after taking office in February.

The premier's love affair with eating, cooking and the culinary arts
landed him in trouble after a group of senators and the Election
Commission (EC) petitioned the Constitution Court to rule as to whether
his actions disqualify him from office by violated the national charter.

Article 267 of the Constitution stipulates that the prime minister is
prohibited from holding any position in a partnership, a company or an
organisation carrying out business with a view to sharing profit or
income, or being an employee of any person.

Mr. Samak told the court that he appeared in the programmes only as an
honorary guest, without seeking any compensation.

The premier's appearance in the Bangkok court came amid a number of
mounting pressures for the prime minister to resign as anti-government
protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have occupied
Thailand's Government House since August 26.

The coalition of self-described democracy-activist protesters vowed not to
disperse until the premier calls it quits.

Mr. Samak was accused by the demonstrators of being a proxy of ousted
prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who fled corruption charges to live in
Britain with his wife and family. (TNA)