The faction-riddled People Power party

Behind-the-scenes lobbying for lucrative ministerial posts has begun in earnest as Somchai Wongsawat awaits royal endorsement as the country's leader. But Surapong Suebwonglee has bowed out as finance minister. The faction-riddled People Power party (PPP) and its tenuous coalition partners are seeking to gain the best advantage in the post-Samak Sundaravej-era administration. At the top of the prime minister-elect's list is a new finance minister after Dr Surapong said on Wednesday he would not join the new cabinet. Mr Surapong said he decided not to take a ministerial job in the new administration because of the digit lottery lawsuit. His qualifications are in doubt after the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions accepted a lawsuit against him for alleged links to the digit lottery scheme. He would wait for a court verdict before deciding on his political career. A PPP source said the party had approached Thanong Bidaya, a former finance minister, to take the job. Four seats in the PPP's quota also will be freed up for the factions to fight for: two posts as deputy prime minister, the defence minister post and the education portfolio. The so-called Friends of Newin group, which holds four cabinet seats, is expecting two more. Chuwit Pitakpornpallop, an MP for Ubon Ratchathani loyal to Newin Chidchob, said the faction hopes to get five deputy jobs and one ministerial post. The group commands 73 MPs and under the ratio of 12 MPs for one seat, it is eligible for six cabinet seats. He said Songsak Thongsri, a deputy transport minister, will be put forward for the transport portfolio. Expected to go is Transport Minister Santi Promphat, who is reportedly at odds with former Thai Rak Thai executive Pongsak Raktapongpaisal who supervises the transport portfolio. Mingkwan Sangsuwan is likely to be made deputy prime minister and to vacate the post of industry minister, which will be returned to the Puea Pandin party, the source added. A Puea Pandin member said the party expects to get four seats: industry minister, information and communications technology minister, deputy interior minister and deputy finance minister. The party plans to lobby for another seat to be awarded to party chief adviser Pol Gen Pracha Promnok, he added. Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa has lobbied Mr Somchai to give one more seat to his party. A source said he is eyeing a post as deputy transport minister or deputy education minister for his son Warawut. Another source close to Gen Anupong Paojinda said the army chief has no objection if Mr Somchai doubles as the defence minister. However, Gen Anupong recommended Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Gen Chettha Thanajaro, who has close ties with Gen Anupong and First Army chief Lt-Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, for the post, said the source. Speaking after being voted as prime minister, Mr Somchai said he could not say if he would also take the post of defence minister. His priority was to tackle the floods which were ravaging several provinces and financial problems associated with the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, he said. Mr Somchai's nomination was backed by 298 MPs against 163 who voted for Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. Five MPs abstained — Mr Somchai, Mr Abhisit, House Speaker Chai Chidchob and his two deputies, Pollapi Suwanchawee and Areepen Udonsin. Four MPs missed voting including former prime minister Samak Sundaravej, who showed up late for the session. Mr Abhisit said he hoped Mr Somchai would steer the country away from crisis.