Former PM wants to end party leadership role

BANGKOK, Sept 12 (TNA) -- Thailand's former prime minister Samak
Sundaravej said Friday he wants to end his role as leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) as senior members of PPP are racing for the government leadership post, said the ex-secretary-general to the prime minister.

Thirapol Noprampha told journalists after a meeting with Mr. Samak at his home in suburban Bangkok that the recent disqualified prime minister had asked him to inform the party's members that Mr. Samak had tried his best to protect democracy in the country and it is now the responsibility of the party to handle the situation.

Mr. Samak, according to Mr. Thirapol, said he wanted to end his duty as the party leader and "it is now up to the party from now on".

The Thai government has now been left in a vacuum after Mr. Samak was
removed from office Tuesday by the Constitution Court, which ruled that he violated the charter by hosting cooking shows on commercial television, for which he received payment.

His cabinet is now acting as a caretaker government awaiting the
appointment of a new prime minister by House members.