Apiwan Pulls Out Of Bid To Be House Speaker

[webfact]

Apiwan pulls out of bid to be House speaker

By The Nation

Pheu Thai party-list MP and red-shirt leader Apiwan Wiriyachai announced yesterday that he has pulled out from the race for position of House speaker.

He said he has informed prime minister-in-waiting Yingluck Shinawatra and Pheu Thai leader Yongyuth Wichaidit of his decision to withdraw from the contest scheduled tomorrow. He said Yingluck thanked him for his decision.

Apiwan said he was qualified for the position because he had performed his duty as a deputy House speaker, but speculation that he would become the speaker prompted certain Pheu Thai MPs and others to feel uneasy.

"For the sake of unity and peace of mind among all sides, I have pulled out from the contest and I won't accept any legislative position," Apiwan said.

He said he believed Khon Kaen MP Somsak Kiartsuranon and Ayutthaya MP Witthaya Buranasiri were qualified for the position.

Apiwan said he was ready to accept an administrative position or any post assigned by Yingluck or the Pheu Thai executive board.

He thanked the red-shirt people for having expressed confidence in him - but they should now turn to supporting others for election as House speaker.

Earlier, it was reported that red-shirt members were dissatisfied that Somsak, who was known to disagree with Apiwan, would be handpicked by Yingluck for the speaker position.

The disquiet among red shirts prompted Yingluck, reportedly, to contemplate Yongyuth as a choice. Observers believed that Apichai's pullout would prompt Yingluck to go ahead and give the post to Somsak.

Pheu Thai MP for Bangkok Wicharn Minchainan announced yesterday the Bangkok group of Pheu Thai MPs had no plan to push Yongyuth to contest the House speaker position.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday the party would hold a meeting of MPs at 9:30am today to select the House speaker candidate.

When the House convenes its first meeting tomorrow, Pheu Thai MPs will have to vote for the choice of House speaker as resolved by today's meeting, Prompong said.

In another development, the Election Commission is scheduled to consider whether or not to endorse Pheu Thai party-list candidate Jatuporn Promphan's victory.

The House secretary-general has informed all MPs to gather for a group photo of the new House at the Siam Guardian Angel and King Rama VII ground at 2pm today.

The photo session will be held before His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn who will represent His Majesty the King in inaugurating the new parliamentary session at the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall at 5 pm today.

-- The Nation 2011-08-01

[sillybilly]

Just a silly idea... What would happen if Yingluck was waiting for Jatuporn Promphan to be endorsed so that she could then make him speaker. As annoying as it would be for some, wouldn`t this offer him a bit more protection?

[webfact]

Red Shirt Leader Not Run For House Speaker

The red-shirt nominee of the House Speaker has announced he will not run for the House Speaker post, saying not running will help lead to party reconciliation.

Meanwhile, the PM to-be will finalize the post today.

Pheu Thai party-list MP and former Deputy House Speaker, Colonel General Apiwan Viriyachai, announced that he will definitely not run for the House Speaker post.

He said that if he becomes a candidate for the post, inner party rifts are likely to break out, as some party members would be dissatisfied if he takes the post.

Subsequently, he said he will not run for the post, although he has the appropriate experience from his nearly four years as deputy speaker.

He stated that he will support the next speaker, while he is ready to take any position given to him by party board executives.

Apiwan said that he made the decision himself.

In addition, he has already informed the prime minister-in-waiting, Yingluck Shinawatra, and Pheu Thai party leader, Yongyuth Wichaidit of his decision.

He strongly believes the other two MPs nominated for the House Speaker position, Somsak Kiatsuranont and Witthaya Buranasiri, are appropriate for the post.

Meanwhile, Yingluck said she would talk with Yongyut and conclude the decision on the next House Speaker today, saying all party members will accept the final result.

Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship key leader Nattawut Saikeua, who has strongly supported Apiwan for the post, said the red-shirts will support the person who is capable to be the House Speaker, but the alliance will respect the final decision from the party board executives.

-- Tan Network 2011-08-01

[webfact]

Pheu Thai will nominate Somsak Kiatsuranont as House Speaker /TAN_Network

[webfact]

Pheu Thai chooses Somsak as House speaker

The Pheu Thai Party resolved Monday to make its Khon Kaen MP Somsak Kiartsuranon as the next House speaker.

The party voted to give the post of deputy speakers to Chaiyaphum MP Charoen Chankomol and Phayao MP Wisut Chainaroon.

-- The Nation 2011-08-01

[Cuchulainn]

The Rogues Gallery is starting to shape up nicely!

[hammered]

Deputy speaker last time becomes speaker this time. Continuity and experience working with MPs across parties and dealing with heated debates. Good safe choice it would seem