A coalition revolt that includes members, thai news

A coalition revolt that includes members of the People Power party is threatening to sink the chances of Samak Sundaravej returning as Prime Minister. The dissidents fear that if Mr Samak returned to lead the government, the political crisis that has shaken Thailand for the past several months and led to numerous violent incidents could deepen. Despite being nominated by the PPP to be prime minister on Thursday, there is no guarantee Mr Samak will resume the post when lawmakers in the House vote for a new premier. A highly-placed source at Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana party said the party thought it was not wise to nominate Mr Samak as prime minister again as public opposition to him has not waned. Other coalition parties also disagreed with efforts to have him re-elected. Chart Thai deputy leader and Agriculture Minister Somsak Prissananantakul confirmed the party disagreed with Mr Samak's return. A source at Puea Pandin said key party executives, including Phinij Jarusombat and Preecha Laohapongchana, would not vote for him. A source at Chart Thai said last night that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had contacted Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa for his support on Mr Samak or face a House dissolution. Core leaders of the PPP on Thursday held a meeting at the party's headquarters to choose a candidate for the post of prime minister. Key figures at the meeting included Yongyuth Tiyapairat, Transport Minister Santi Promphat, Yaowapa Wongsawat, a younger sister of Mr Thaksin, and former Thai Rak Thai executives Chaturon Chaisaeng and Newin Chidchob. Supporters of Mr Samak said traditionally, a party leader must be named as a candidate for the post. Mr Samak has strong leadership skills and deserved to be chosen to lead the government. A source said Mr Thaksin was confident Mr Samak was the only one who could handle the anti-government rally led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). But his opponents warned the return of Mr Samak could worsen the political situation. The PPP leader has another court case waiting for him, they added. The Appeals Court's verdict on the defamation lawsuits filed against Mr Samak and former prime minister's office minister Dusit Siriwan, by former deputy Bangkok governor Samart Ratchapolsitte, is expected on Sept 25. The Criminal Court found Mr Samak and Mr Dusit guilty on four counts of defaming Mr Samart during their TV talk shows between Jan 12 and Jan 19, 2006. The court sentenced them to 24 months in jail, with no suspension. Mr Samak has appealed. If the Appeals Court upholds the verdict, Mr Samak will face jail unless he takes his case to the Supreme Court. After the meeting, Mr Chaturon, Mr Santi and Mr Yongyuth went to Mr Samak's residence to tell him about party members' differing opinions on his proposed nomination. Afterwards, party spokesman Kudep Saikrachang said Mr Samak came to the party's head office and confirmed his intention to make a comeback as prime minister. According to Mr Kudep, Mr Samak said he agreed to be nominated because he wanted to safeguard democracy. PPP deputy leader and caretaker Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said Mr Samak is suited to take the post of prime minister again. Caretaker Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said he told the coalition parties that in principle Mr Samak, as leader of the party with the majority of House seats, should be nominated as prime minister. However, not all PPP members agreed. About 70 MPs, including the Isan Pattana faction, did not think Mr Samak was a prudent option. Nakhon Ratchasima MP Pol Lt-Col Somchai Phetpartsert of the PPP said the 70 MPs will exercise their rights under the constitution to abstain from either voting or to vote against Mr Samak. "We want a person who is acceptable to all sides and can work together with other groups to solve the country's problems, not a person who is ready to stoke controversy," Pol Lt-Col Somchai said. PAD leader Sonthi Limthongkul urged more demonstrators to take to the streets to show their opposition to Mr Samak. Army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda instructed First Army commander Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha to put more than 5,000 soldiers on stand-by in case they are needed to help police secure parliament.