6 coalition parties to support Somchai as new Thai PM

BANGKOK, Sept 16 (TNA) - Thailand's People Power Party along with its five coalition parties announced their support for the nomination of caretaker prime minister Somchai Wongsawat as the new head of government.

With his endorsement from the ruling coalition, Somchai looks set to be
confirmed as prime minister when the House of Representatives convenes on
Wednesday.

Samak Sundaravej was forced from office last Tuesday when the
Constitutional Court found him guilty of violating the constitution by
accepting payments for hosting TV cooking shows.

Leaders of the six coalition parties reiterated their intention to stay
together and announced their plan to form a new government to succeed the
seven-month old Samak Sundaravej administration.

“The government is not formed to protect any particular party, but it is
formed to serve the public and I will do my best to resolve the ongoing
problems,'' Somchai said at a Tuesday night news conference, flanked by
leaders of the other five coalition parties.

Somchai also pledged the new government would let justice run its course
in legal issues involving his brother-in-law and a former prime minister
Thaksin Shinawatra.

Earlier Tuesday, the Democrat Party said it had urged the PPP to review
its decision, as Mr. Somchai was linked to Mr. Thaksin’s influence.

“It is hard to deny the ties with some people. However, I’d like to point
out that we should look at one’s actions if they are in favour of those
ties,” said the PM nominee.

Meanwhile, the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD),
occupying the Government House
compound since Aug 26, announced it would not accept a prime minister from
the PPP. It vowed to continue rallying at Government House until a new
political administration was formed. (TNA)