Govt Faces No-confidence

[bulmercke]

Chalerm says Govt will not declare state of emergency - THE NATION -

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung insisted Saturday that the government will not declare state of emergency.

Chalerm who appeared in good mood gave an interview after having his haircut inside his house at 11 am.

He said the government would not enforce the emergency decree to deal with the situation because the protesters still demonstrate peacefully.

The interior minister said the protesters would have to wait forever if they wanted the government to use force to crack down on them.

The Nation

The PAD don't need to wait that long. Parliament will be dissolved soon.

PAD 1 Government 0

[sriracha john]

Samak agrees to be grilled by Opposition and Senators

Embattled Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej agreed Saturday to attend a debate on national problems to be held by the Senate on Monday and to be censured by the opposition on Tuesday.

Deputy Agriculture Minister Theerachai Saenkaew said Saturday that the no-confidence debate would be held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Deputy Senate Speaker Nikhom Waiyaratphanit said Saturday that the general debate of the Senate for the prime minister to answer questions on national affairs would be held on Monday.

Democrat Party leader and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva confirmed Saturday that House Speaker Chai Chidchob agreed to put the no-confidence motion on agenda for a debate on Tuesday.

Earlier, Samak dismissed the proposed debate by senators and censure debate by the opposition, saying the current extraordinary session had not enough time for such debates.

But Samak changed the stand after the People's Alliance for Democracy put Government House under siege by anti-government protesters.

Nikhom said he asked the Senate secretary-general to contact Samak Friday evening, urging him to reconsider his earlier stand not to attend a general debate on national problems.

Nikhom said Samak replied through Parliament President Chai that he would attend the debate Monday to answer senators' questions on national problems.

A group of 61 senators invoked Article 161 of the Constitution to file a motion seeking to open a debate to question the government on political and economic crises.

Earlier, the prime minister replied that the government would be busy with making preparations for the national budget bill debate and would have no time to attend the senatorial debate.

Nikhom said after Samak agreed to attend the debate, he had the Senate Secretariat send SMS to all senators, asking them to attend the debate in full force.

"The prime minister will be accompanied by a deputy prime minister and some ministers to attend the debate," Nikhom said. "This is a very good gesture from the government and we want to see this kind of gesture from the government much earlier."

The deputy Senate speaker said he hoped that Samak's agreement to attend the debate should reduce political tension.

Nikhom said he hoped to see the People's Alliance for Democracy to change its stand now that the debate on the national problems would be held.

Senate Secretary-General Suwimol Phumsingharaj said she had sent SMS to all senators to attend the debate on 9:30 am.

Phetchaburi Senator Sumol Sutawiriyawat, one of the 61 senators, said the change of the prime minister's stand would reduce degree of political conflicts.

Theerachai said the People Power Party would hold a meeting of its ministers and MPs on Monday to make preparations for the no-confidence debate on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He said the budget bill would be deliberated on Thursday and Friday right after the censure debate.

- The Nation

Edited June 21, 2008 by sriracha john

[sgtpeppers]

Samak agrees to be grilled by Opposition and Senators

excellent

[Plus]

I think you've been waiting for this moment for a long time, SJ, and beat Tony to it - Samak being grilled.

But wait until the PC brigade wakes up.

On the other hand comparing Samak to a pig is apparenly not racist. Pigs are ok by Thais, they don't feel offended being called a pig, some explained.

If it was Tony replacing Bush mug with Samak's, the whole hel_l would break lose again. Only white people are allowed to be compared to apes, it's offensive for any other race, whites look like gorillas anyway. Also white babies can be compared to dogs, but not Thai babies, as dogs are dirty animals here.

I think I figured out the rules of political correctness game. Great.

[younghusband]

I think you've been waiting for this moment for a long time, SJ, and beat Tony to it - Samak being grilled.

But wait until the PC brigade wakes up.

On the other hand comparing Samak to a pig is apparenly not racist. Pigs are ok by Thais, they don't feel offended being called a pig, some explained.

If it was Tony replacing Bush mug with Samak's, the whole hel_l would break lose again. Only white people are allowed to be compared to apes, it's offensive for any other race, whites look like gorillas anyway. Also white babies can be compared to dogs, but not Thai babies, as dogs are dirty animals here.

I think I figured out the rules of political correctness game. Great.

I don't think political correctness really exists in Thailand.We've all seen the Nazi insignia cheerfully worn by motorcyclists.

The objection was to white men doing monkey caricatures of a darker race.Most Thais couldn't care less I agree.But for those educated Westerners who have a knowledge of history it's fairly distasteful, albeit of no permanent interest - although here you are again dragging the discussion out.

Usually this kind of racist trash is perpetuated by the trailer park set (in mind if not economic circumstances).No exception this time.

[Plus]

I was referring to new set of double standards set by PC brigade on this board.

Tony was doing caricatures on Samak, not on a darker race. I, personally, had no associations with Asians in general in my head whatsoever when I saw that picture, perhaps people who projected it on the whole race have their own issues, like pedophiles spotting potentially inappropriate behavior in most innocent parent-child relationships. "It takes one to know one" sort of thing.

Anyway, it is apparently confirmed that comparing Samak to a pig is not offensive in your eyes. It was just Tony and gorilla that ticked you off.

[younghusband]

I was referring to new set of double standards set by PC brigade on this board.

Tony was doing caricatures on Samak, not on a darker race. I, personally, had no associations with Asians in general in my head whatsoever when I saw that picture, perhaps people who projected it on the whole race have their own issues, like pedophiles spotting potentially inappropriate behavior in most innocent parent-child relationships. "It takes one to know one" sort of thing.

Anyway, it is apparently confirmed that comparing Samak to a pig is not offensive in your eyes. It was just Tony and gorilla that ticked you off.

I think you got the point some time ago.Obviously something irks you here (somehow introducing pedophilia to the topic, quite a stretch) or you would have dropped the matter.Take comfort that there will be (in UK usage) many Daily Mail reading types or retired US non commissioned officer types who will agree with you YH has got "political correctness gone mad", but do you really want these people as your intellectual stablemates (if you'll forgive the horse analogy) or does your obsession with Thaksin and his proxies override everything else?

[sriracha john]

When does your name-calling cease?

Cue up the mod warning for this thread...

anyway, in an effort to return the thread back to the topic at hand.... with more "grilling" news

Goverment has a change of heart

Agrees to face Senate, opposition grillings

The government yesterday abruptly changed its mind by agreeing to be grilled separately by the Senate and the opposition Democrat party in a move to ease political tension in the streets. But the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who engineered the ongoing rally in front of Government House, shrugged off the change in the government's position. The decision has come too late as PAD has already voted no-confidence in PM Samak and his coalition government, PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said. The government's decision to allow senators to hold a general debate on the entire cabinet tomorrow and a grilling by the opposition did not come directly from Samak, who remained tight-lipped on the political situation. All the PM said was he will not succumb to the PAD demand that he hand in his resignation and will talk about measures to cope with the rally in his weekly address today. People Power party (PPP) member Jatuporn Promphan said the debate would be a venue for the government to explain its work to the public.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/220608_News/22Jun2008_news01.php

===================================================================

it'll be interesting debate if the PPP is going to "explain its work"

Edited June 22, 2008 by sriracha john

[younghusband]

When does your name-calling cease?

Cue up the mod warning.

Can you enlighten me what parts of my post above you find objectionable? I am genuinely mystified.

[h90]

I think you've been waiting for this moment for a long time, SJ, and beat Tony to it - Samak being grilled.

But wait until the PC brigade wakes up.

On the other hand comparing Samak to a pig is apparenly not racist. Pigs are ok by Thais, they don't feel offended being called a pig, some explained.

If it was Tony replacing Bush mug with Samak's, the whole hel_l would break lose again. Only white people are allowed to be compared to apes, it's offensive for any other race, whites look like gorillas anyway. Also white babies can be compared to dogs, but not Thai babies, as dogs are dirty animals here.

I think I figured out the rules of political correctness game. Great.

I don't think political correctness really exists in Thailand.We've all seen the Nazi insignia cheerfully worn by motorcyclists.

The objection was to white men doing monkey caricatures of a darker race.Most Thais couldn't care less I agree.But for those educated Westerners who have a knowledge of history it's fairly distasteful, albeit of no permanent interest - although here you are again dragging the discussion out.

Usually this kind of racist trash is perpetuated by the trailer park set (in mind if not economic circumstances).No exception this time.

Bush get compared with apes all the time.

Samak is chinese if I am not wrong (source wikipedia) or half chinese, I never saw anywhere Chinese get compared with apes.

[sriracha john]

Abhisit's comments on Samak's U-turn...

'Change of heart' welcomed

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva says he's surprised at the government's change of heart in allowing a no-confidence debate to take place this Tuesday afternoon.

"We have to wonder why they insisted earlier that they wouldn't and now say they will. Obviously everything the government said was false," said Abhisit, adding that his party was ready nonetheless and he should like to see the parliamentary session extended two weeks to accommodate the new agenda.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Samak threatens to organise PAD-style protests if Democrat become government

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Sunday threatens to hold street protests like what being carried out by the People's Alliance for Democracy if the change of political power takes place.

Speaking during the his Talk Samak Style, Samak said he would like to see what would happen to the country if he organises street protests against the new government like what the PAD is doing.

"I also have my supporters," Samak said.

- The Nation

============================================================

Indeed you do, Samak... and their violent history is their testament to you and all.

[sriracha john]

and his latest confirms it....

PM Samak Threatens to Retaliate if Abhisit Becomes PM

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said during his weekly public adress that he has agreed to the proposed debate by Senators on Monday to lessen public pressure against the government.

He also questioned why only People Power party is being targeted and not other coalition partners.

He added that if the debates managed to convince the coalition partners to switch camp to support the Democrats, he may set up a 'street gang' to voice his criticism of the new PM.

PM Samak says that will create even more chaos in the country.

- Thailand Outlook

=========================================================

Well thought-out comments, Prime Minister.....

[dotcom]

Good old Samak. He just wants what's best for the Thai people. Not. He has served his function of carrying the can for Toxic Toxin. NEXT!!!!!

PAD are a bunch of timewasting hacks too.

Meet the new boss.......

[sriracha john]

A Thursday meeting between Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Samak...

The King urged Samak to keep his promises to do good for the nation.

- Associated Press

more on Samak's driving habits...

Government U-turns: Allows debate on ministers' performance

BANGKOK (TNA) - The Thai government, under strong pressure from several directions, made an 'about face' decision to allow senators and opposition members of parliament to debate its performance, House of Representatives Secretary-General Pitoon Poomhiran said late Saturday.

Pitoon said House Speaker Chai Chidchob has been ordered to alert the Senate and House of Representatives members to meet and debate on the government's performance on June 23-24.

Two different debates are scheduled on Monday and Tuesday: the Senate is now set for a general debate on June 23, while the Opposition Democrat Party will have a no-confidence debate the following day.

The budget bill would be discussed after the end of the debate, he said.

The Opposition Democrat Party last week filed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and seven ministers of his ruling People Power Party (PPP), including Deputy Prime Minister/Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Deputy Prime Minister/Commerce Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan, Transport Minister Santi Prompat, Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri, Justice Minister Sompong Amornwiwat, Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama and Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

The Democrats claimed in their censure motion that the Samak government is a weak, ineffective and corrupt stand-in for the deposed government of Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Democrat Party's censure motion aimed to prompt government as well as opposition MPs to cast no-confidence votes against Samak and the seven other ministers.

On June 9, 61 senators filed a motion for general debate without censure of the government with Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondech, seeking the government's clarification over problems they had experienced in the national administration.

Both groups had expected the censure debate to take place by June 28 or by the end of the current extraordinary House session that is tasked to consider the government's budget bill for Fiscal 2009, which begins October 1.

The extraordinary session of the House opened June 9.

The prime minister earlier said that it was not appropriate to debate the government's performance during this extraordinary session as its priority was to consider the budget.

[hammered]

We should maybe move on to consider the censure debate and what comes after. Obviously we have a recently elected parliament and people have to learn that you cant just have new elections every five seconds. We also have one party that clearly giened the most MPs. We also have a government selected by the parliament that has to say the least not exactly set the world alight with its record of instituting policy, responding in a rational way to economic problems or even allowed the parliament to set up basic committees needed to check the parliament. Poor government performance can be addressed by the parliament.

We now have this opportunity through the censure motions. If the opposition can bring up cases against some ministers to show poor peformance, and this shouldnt be too hard, the parlaimnet can and this time shoudl vote them down. A pure party line forced vote will do nothing to calm the situation if there is a question of credible poor performance over ministers although it is up to the opposition to put this case.

Having said that if some ministers go or even if the PM goes then the PPP (and they should still be the core) should use the opportunity to reshuffle the deck and name a new government with the aim of addressing pressing issues. Then they could be judged on their performance.

This is how it would happen in many paces across the world. However, I dont hold a lot of hope out here as I think the powerful interest groups - both pro and anti-Thaksin - want Samak to stay as PM. On the one side to guide the military reshuffle through and as a slight counterweight to Thaksin influence and on the other side top avoid the possible factional chaos from a cabinet reshuffle and to use him as adiversion from other nmatters they need to get done. Ranged against these powerful groups is only the factionally divided PAD with limited support now some anti-T groups seem to like using Samak, the opposition party who do not have any power and any groups that will become affected by the economy, and this over time could be a lot of people but not right now. Also apart from the Thaksinistas who want to see the demise of the PAD there is the powerful group of anti-T people who are using Samak who while probably happy to see the PAD on the streets in limited numbers but who certainly wont want their plans ruined which has come quite close recently, an maybe only avoided by countermanding what the PM actually wanted to do.

Anyway I hope for the censure debate to release some tension with a governemnt sacrifice or two showing parliamentary checks work, but I wont hold my breath on this one.

[sriracha john]

Samak agrees to be grilled by Opposition and Senators

Democrats prepare 50 MPs to grill Government

The Democrat Party has prepared 50 MPs for grilling the government during the upcoming censure debate which the party wants to be extended by at least one more day.

Democrat Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban said Sunday his party assigned 50 MPs in nine teams to detail the government's mistakes during the noconfidence debate.

The debate is scheduled to begin at 1:30 pm Tuesday and end Wednesday. But Suthep said one and a half days would not be enough for the opposition to present all the points about alleged mistakes of the prime minister and seven other Cabinet members. *indeed, that could take weeks to detail all of them*

- The Nation

Edited June 22, 2008 by sriracha john

[ThaiAdventure]

Hmm.

No confidence vote attempt for the PM.

Legal investigations pertaining to party members.

In-party fighting.

Demonstrations in the streets.

All sounds worryngly familiar to 2006 (about the same sort of time too).

All we need now is a visit to his Highness and a dissolution of parliament and we will have a full match!

[ratcatcher]

Hmm.

No confidence vote attempt for the PM.

Legal investigations pertaining to party members.

In-party fighting.

Demonstrations in the streets.

All sounds worryngly familiar to 2006 (about the same sort of time too).

All we need now is a visit to his Highness and a dissolution of parliament and we will have a full match!

With all due respect, do you mean His Majesty or His Royal Highness.

[samran]

Hmm.

No confidence vote attempt for the PM.

Legal investigations pertaining to party members.

In-party fighting.

Demonstrations in the streets.

All sounds worryngly familiar to 2006 (about the same sort of time too).

All we need now is a visit to his Highness and a dissolution of parliament and we will have a full match!

one massive difference.

In 2006 Thaksin was a care taker PM. Many people tend to forget that the elections in early 2006 were annulled, and there was no elected government at the time, only a caretaker government.

Thaksin managed to drag his feet for 6 months. He kept promising to schedual new elections, but the dates always seemed to slip. He could have do so for alot longer as well, as there was pretty much a consitutional deadlock at the time.

Now we have an elected government. Love them or hate them (I'm not a fan), they are here till the next election, or the opposition (whether they are parliamentary or otherwise) force an election by showing that the government has made a balls up of things.

Whatever happens, this government needs to pull its socks up administratively. The lack of effective government for the past 6 months is beginning to show as the economy suffers from higher inflation. The problem is they don't have a policy agenda except to get Thaksin off the hook with the charges against him. And that is the biggest problem for everyone - the lack of a government that wants to govern.

[ThaiAdventure]

With all due respect, do you mean His Majesty or His Royal Highness.

Aplogies. I meant the former. Thanks for picking me up on it.

In 2006 Thaksin was a care taker PM. Many people

tend to forget that the elections in early 2006 were annulled, and

there was no elected government at the time, only a caretaker

government.

Wasn't that after the no confidence and calls to resign (also in 2006) and after he called a snap election?

That might be a bit later in the timeline

All I see (as a lamen....or is it lemon) is a government in crissis, with a PM who refuses to acknwoledge unpopularity and is more worried about hanging on to position than the country he supposedly serves.

Seems to be a very similar scenario and course of events. If my feeling is correct, we should see calls for him to resign next.

Alternatively, I may just be talking marshbags and seeing more than is really there.

[plachon]

and his latest confirms it....

PM Samak Threatens to Retaliate if Abhisit Becomes PM

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said during his weekly public adress that he has agreed to the proposed debate by Senators on Monday to lessen public pressure against the government.

He also questioned why only People Power party is being targeted and not other coalition partners.

He added that if the debates managed to convince the coalition partners to switch camp to support the Democrats, he may set up a 'street gang' to voice his criticism of the new PM.

PM Samak says that will create even more chaos in the country.

- Thailand Outlook

=========================================================

Well thought-out comments, Prime Minister.....

The song "Charlie Brown" and line, "Why's everybody always pickin' on me?" comes to mind.

I love the way Toxin has just dumped him, just like Jak and a hundred other's just when he's outgrown his usefulness, yet look at the other sycophant's just queuing up to get their noses in Toxin's botty. The sooner every baht of his is frozen, locked solid, the better. Then what is the attractiveness in a murderous, treachourous, power-hungry liar?

[TEFLMike]

I came in here to took for something SERIOUS.

And now I have decided to RUN A B****Y MILE!

The only trouble is, I am unable to run. I am getting too old

Plus I have been running round on other things, a few of you know about

Edited June 22, 2008 by TEFLMike

[Tony Clifton]

He added that if the debates managed to convince the coalition partners to switch camp to support the Democrats, he may set up a 'street gang' to voice his criticism of the new PM.

Piss

Poor

Performance

Poor senile old fool, seems like Samak is looking for an even worse place in history instead of accepting his failure even as a nominated PM.

His Al Jazeera interview is all you need to see to evaluate (in micrograms) how much credibility this man has, manipulative, lies, threatening to the journalist, belches without apologizing even seeming not to care he did, fits well in Thaksin's zombie zoo.

[TEFLMike]

He added that if the debates managed to convince the coalition partners to switch camp to support the Democrats, he may set up a 'street gang' to voice his criticism of the new PM.

Piss

Poor

Performance

Poor senile old fool, seems like Samak is looking for an even worse place in history instead of accepting his failure even as a nominated PM.

His Al Jazeera interview is all you need to see to evaluate (in micrograms) how much credibility this man has, manipulative, lies, threatening to the journalist, belches without apologizing even seeming not to care he did, fits well in Thaksin's zombie zoo.

Believe it or not, I have Photograph of Thaksin, on an InterCity Train from Manchester to London or on the return I do not know.

He is with a friend of mine stood in the aisle of the carriage. If I am running, he is running that extra MILE!

Am I sitting on a fortune here? Trouble is, I do not want my friend's face on it!

Oh NO! Another board going , into MY FAVOURITES. It takes me 30 minutes to get one from one end of the the list to other

Edited June 22, 2008 by TEFLMike

[sriracha john]

I came in here to took for something SERIOUS.

And now I have decided to RUN A B****Y MILE!

The only trouble is, I am unable to run. I am getting too old

Plus I have been running round on other things, a few of you know about

Believe it or not, I have Photograph of Thaksin, on an InterCity Train from Manchester to London or on the return I do not know.

He is with a friend of mine stood in the aisle of the carriage. If I am running, he is running that extra MILE!

Am I sitting on a fortune here? Trouble is, I do not want my friend's face on it!

Another board going , into MY FAVOURITES. It takes me 30 minutes to get one from one end of the the list to other

Are you ok?

[hammered]

and his latest confirms it....

PM Samak Threatens to Retaliate if Abhisit Becomes PM

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said during his weekly public adress that he has agreed to the proposed debate by Senators on Monday to lessen public pressure against the government.

He also questioned why only People Power party is being targeted and not other coalition partners.

He added that if the debates managed to convince the coalition partners to switch camp to support the Democrats, he may set up a 'street gang' to voice his criticism of the new PM.

PM Samak says that will create even more chaos in the country.

- Thailand Outlook

=========================================================

Well thought-out comments, Prime Minister.....

I think personally that the real democrat plan is to get Banharn thinking he could become PM. That could force a very close vote on Samak and there may be elements of the PPP who would allow it/go along with it. Who would end up in the government would also be moot.

Samk if deprived of hiw big hitting backers may also find he doesnt really have the support to get people on the streets. However, the idea of Samak being taken down and replaced by Abhisit may be something that doesnt reduce tensions bringing us back to the idea that if, and it is an if, Samak is going to be forced out by a censure vote then it will probably only happen if there is an agreed on replacement suitable to those in or should I say controlling the largest party.

[slimdog]

hammered

The Democrats have filed a motion under Article 158/1 of the constitution

Under this Article, when they filed a motion against the Prime Minister they had to nominate a replacement. The Democrats nominated Abhist Vejjajiva.

If the vote of No- Confidence is passed on Thursday, then under Article 158/5 Abhisit's name is formally presented to His Majesty as the new Prime Minister.

Abhisit would not need to have a majority, meaning that technically he would need no coalition partners (Chuan was thinking of running a minority government back in the early nineties when Chamlong pulled the PDP out of the coalition), and the only way to unseat Abhisit would be a further vote of No-Confidence. Again technically this could not be submitted until the next General Ordinary Session, which would be in January, as the next session of Parliament starting in August is the legislative ordinary session.

[hammered]

hammered

The Democrats have filed a motion under Article 158/1 of the constitution

Under this Article, when they filed a motion against the Prime Minister they had to nominate a replacement. The Democrats nominated Abhist Vejjajiva.

If the vote of No- Confidence is passed on Thursday, then under Article 158/5 Abhisit's name is formally presented to His Majesty as the new Prime Minister.

Abhisit would not need to have a majority, meaning that technically he would need no coalition partners (Chuan was thinking of running a minority government back in the early nineties when Chamlong pulled the PDP out of the coalition), and the only way to unseat Abhisit would be a further vote of No-Confidence. Again technically this could not be submitted until the next General Ordinary Session, which would be in January, as the next session of Parliament starting in August is the legislative ordinary session.

Thanks for that. So I guess when it goes to a vote Samak wins as I cant see the PPP backing Abhisit although there were rumours after the last election that Thaksin approached the Dems to offer them government in return for an easy ride in court.

I cant see Samak standing down now either, so I guess he gets to stay at least for a while - maybe until he has kept the army happy at the military reshuffle.

[sriracha john]

A rousing start to the proceedings...

Thai Senate blasts government's performance

Bangkok - Members of the Thai Senate on Monday blasted the government's four-month performance as thousands of protestors laid siege to the cabinet's offices demanding its resignation.

"After four months in office, the government's performance has been a complete failure," Senator Sumon Sathariyawat said, launching a debate on the performance of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his ministers, who assumed their posts February 6.

Samak, the leader of the People Power Party (PPP), which won the largest number of seats in the December 23, election, has come under mounting pressure to resign for failing to address escalating economic woes and concentrating instead on constitutional amendments that might bring former premier Thaksin Shinawatra back to power.

Samak and the PPP campaigned on a platform supporting Thaksin, a populist politician who was overthrown in a bloodless military coup on September 19, 2006.

Given its close ties to Thaksin, a billionaire who made his fortune off government telecommunications concessions, the Samak administration has been seen as a proxy government for the Thaksin clique.

Thaksin and 110 of his closest political allies from the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai party were banned from politics for five years by a military-appointed Constitutional Tribunal last year.

Amendments to the 2007 constitution could pave the way for their return to power and the derailing of several corruption cases against Thaksin.

"I want Samak to reconfirm whether he is Thaksin's nominee or not," Sumon said. "If he confirms he is a nominee, he has no dignity."

Samak, 73, agreed to allow the Senate debate Monday, which is to be followed by a no-confidence debate in the House of Representatives Tuesday and Wednesday, as a means of defusing political tension.

No vote would take place after the Senate debate, and the government, which holds 313 of the 500 seats in the lower house, was expected to win the no-confidence motion Wednesday.

On Friday, more than 10,000 anti-government protestors broke through police barricades to essentially lay siege to government House, the seat of the government and Samak's office, to demand the resignation of the cabinet.

Samak, who has been linked to several bloody crackdowns on pro-democracy demonstrations in Thailand's recent history, has argued that he leads an elected government that the demonstrators have no right to overthrow.

"When it reaches the point that people cannot put up with the situation anymore, I will do my duty," Samak said, warning of a crackdown on the demonstrators and vowing to stay put until the cabinet resigns.

So far, the demonstrations have been peaceful and the government has refrained from confrontation perhaps because it is uncertain of which side the Thai military is backing.

The anti-Samak demonstration is led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the same coalition of disparate non-partisan groups that organized mass protests against Thaksin in 2006.

The PAD first took to the streets again on May 25 when the cabinet started to push for constitutional amendments that might lead to the derailing of several pending corruption cases against Thaksin and his eventual return to power.

Thaksin has become a divisive figure in Thailand's political landscape, pitting his style of democratically elected populist patronage against the Bangkok-based middle class and elite, who distrust his self-serving tendencies.

- DPA (today)