PPP will support Samak as premier, even if found guilty

BANGKOK, Sept 9 (TNA) -- Elected members of the House of Representatives under the banner of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) still support beleaguered Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to continue in the premiership, even if he is stripped of his post by the Constitution Court later Tuesday.

The court delayed its decision, but is to issue the fateful verdict later
in the day on Tuesday.

The prime minister is accused of improper hosting and receiving payment
for cooking shows on television stations earlier, according to the
coalition government's chief whip.

Whip Witthaya Buranasiri, a PPP member, said his party is ready to accept
the court ruling, which is scheduled to be issued Tuesday afternoon,
whether Mr. Samak was guilty on hosting two cooking programmes on two free
TV stations.

The case was brought against him by a group of senators and Election
Commission members in the belief that Mr. Samak had violated Article 267
of the 2007 charter.

If ruled guilty by the court, Mr. Samak could return as prime minister if
the five other parties in the coalition government nominate him because he
still retains his membership in the House of Representatives and also as
leader of PPP, Mr. Witthaya said.

"Executive members of the PPP will discuss with leaders of coalition
partners to support Mr. Samak to remain as prime minister, although some
have proposed that Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa assume the
post," said Mr. Witthaya.

Mr. Banharn is a former prime minister.

Regarding earlier remarks by Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej that a
change in the premiership could solve Thailand's current political
turbulence, Mr. Witthaya said the Senate Speaker should act with
neutrality and should not make such comment because he is not elected.