Samak accepts Thai PM nomination
Friday, 12 September 2008
Thailand's Samak Sundaravej has accepted his party's nomination as prime minister - two days after he was forced to quit the post.
The People's Power Party said there was nothing in the constitution to stop them from choosing him again, BBC reports.
The move is likely to be opposed by the PPP's coalition partners, as well as thousands of protesters who have sought Mr Samak's resignation.
Mr Samak was forced out after he was found to have flouted the constitution.
He was deemed by a court Tuesday to have broken constitutional rules by accepting payments for his appearances on a TV cookery show.
"I thank the party for nominating me," Mr Samak (73) told reporters.
"I am accepting the nomination in order to protect democracy in the country."
The decision to re-nominate him came after a two-hour meeting of the PPP.
Spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang was quoted by the Bangkok Post website as saying Mr Samak had not done anything to damage the country.
The People's Power Party said there was nothing in the constitution to stop them from choosing him again, BBC reports.
The move is likely to be opposed by the PPP's coalition partners, as well as thousands of protesters who have sought Mr Samak's resignation.
Mr Samak was forced out after he was found to have flouted the constitution.
He was deemed by a court Tuesday to have broken constitutional rules by accepting payments for his appearances on a TV cookery show.
"I thank the party for nominating me," Mr Samak (73) told reporters.
"I am accepting the nomination in order to protect democracy in the country."
The decision to re-nominate him came after a two-hour meeting of the PPP.
Spokesman Kuthep Saikrajang was quoted by the Bangkok Post website as saying Mr Samak had not done anything to damage the country.