Samak Sundaravej

Infobox Prime Minister
name = Samak Sundaravej
สมัคร สุนทรเวช
李沙马


order = 25th Prime Minister of Thailand
monarch = Rama IX
deputy =
term_start = 29 January 2008
term_end = 9 September 2008
predecessor = Surayud Chulanont
successor = Somchai Wongsawat
birth_date = 13 June 1935 (aged 73)
birth_place = Bangkok, Thailand
death_date =
death_place =
party = PPP
spouse = Surat Sundaravej
religion = Buddhist

Samak Sundaravej ( _th. สมัคร สุนทรเวช; RTGS: Samak Sunthorawet; _zh. 李沙马) (born 13 June 1935) was the Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defense in 2008, as well as the leader of the People's Power Party since 24 August 2007.

Early life and family

Samak was born in Bangkok, Thailand to Sewok Eak Phraya Bumrungrajabhariphan (Samien Sundaravej) and his wife Khunying Umphan Bumrungrajabhariphan (Umphan Sundaravej). He is of Chinese descent (ancestral surname Lee (李)). [cite book|title=泰国华侨华人研究|author= [泰国] 洪林, 黎道纲主编|publisher=香港社会科学出版社有限公司|month=April |year=2006|pages=187|isbn=962-620-127-4] He has five siblings. Samak studied at Saint Gabriel's College, Assumption Commercial College and Thammasat University. He also received diplomas from Chulalongkorn University and Bryant & Stratton College. [ [http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?id=18305&catid=1 Samuk Sundaravej biography] Mathichon Online retrieved on Jan 29, 2008.th icon]

As well as being a politician, Samak is a well-known television chef. For seven years until the military coup of September 2006, he hosted a cooking show called "Tasting, Grumbling" on the Thailand ITV television network and Royal Thai Army Radio and Television. He said that once he became prime minister, he would also resume his career as a TV chef and has done so. On September 9th, 2008, the full bench of the Constitutional Court ruled that it was unconstitutional for Samak to maintain his television career, and disqualified him from office. [ [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/09/headlines/headlines_30082964.php Samak Found Guilty] ] [ [http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=130526 Court Says PM Most Resign] ]

Samak is married to Khunying Surat Sundaravej, a financial adviser to the Charoen Pokphand Group. They have 2 children.

Political career

In 1968 Samak joined the opposition Democrat Party. Well connected to the military, Samak became head of its renegade right-wing faction. [cite book|title=Thailand's Struggle for Democracy|author=David van Praagh|publisher=Holmes & Meier (1996)] In the 1976 general election, he defeated M. R. Kukrit Pramoj and was made Deputy Interior Minister in the cabinet of M. R. Seni Pramoj. He quickly became prominent for arresting several left-wing activists. [cite book|title=The King Never Smiles|author=Paul M. Handley|publisher=Yale University Press (2006)]

In late August 1976, Seni sent Samak to Singapore to persuade Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn not to return to Thailand. [van Praagh] Paul M. Handley contends, however, that Samak was a close confidant of Queen Sirikit and had been sent by King Bhumibol to guarantee royal support for the exiled Field Marshal. [Handley] This charge is apparently supported by Samak's claim during a cabinet meeting that the King had endorsed Thanom's return.

Samak was removed from his ministerial position, and in reaction organised an anti-government demonstration calling for the removal of three liberal Democrat ministers he branded as being "communists". [Handley] . Samak has been said to be involved in the 6 October 1976 Massacre at Thammasat University, which students protesting against the return of a military dictator. Samak played a crucial role in instigating violence against the students he called 'communists'. The incident ended violently, the dead bodies were brutally slaughtered and burnt.

Although in 2008 interviews with CNN and al-Jazeera Samak denied involvement in the 6 October 1976 massacre that left officially at least 46 dead, Samak insisted only 1 person was killed. Accounts from witnesses, documents and published reports clearly identify Samak as chief operator of the "Armoured Car" radio programme, an ultra-right wing broadcast that constantly expounded anti-communist and pro-right propaganda. Samak used this programme to stir up hatred against student demonstrators at Thammasat University, and intentionally disobeyed the Prime Minister's orders to "stop creating divisiveness." In defending the return of 1973-ousted Field Marshal Thanom over the radio, Samak told listeners that students demonstrating against the dictator's return were committing suicide.

Following the coup of 6 October 1976, Samak became Minister of the Interior in the administration of Tanin Kraivixien, a royalist anti-Communist with a reputation for honesty. Samak immediately launched a campaign which saw hundreds of alleged leftists, many of whom were writers and other intellectuals, arrested. [van Praagh]

In 1979 Samak founded the right-wing Prachakorn Thai Party. In the 1979 General Elections it defeated the incumbent Democrat Party by winning 29 of the 39 seats in Bangkok. In the 1983 General Elections it extended its base to 36 seats, and did not suffer too greatly from the Democrat surge in 1986. [cite book|title=Angels and Devils|author=David Murray|publisher=White Orchid Press (1996)]

In 1992, as Deputy Prime Minister in the Suchinda administration, Samak justified the military's brutal suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators by declaring that the government had the right to do so as long as the United States could send troops to kill people in other countries, a reference to the Gulf War which defeated Iraq led by Saddam Hussein taking place from 2 August 1990 to 28 February 1991. ["The Nation", 21 May 1992] He remains unrepentant and continues to stand by his justification, stating that the military was merely trying to restore law and order after the pro-democracy demonstrators, which he branded as "troublemakers", had resorted to "mob rule". [Murray]

In 2007 Samak was sentenced to two years in jail [ [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/25/politics/politics_30081334.php nationmultimedia.com, Appeal court to rule on defamation suit] ] , however that sentence was suspended pending appeal. On 25 September 2008, the Appeals Court upheld the two year jail sentence. [ [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/25/politics/politics_30084349.php Samak Fails to Overturn His Libel Conviction and Two-Year Jail Term] ]

Censure (no-confidence) motion

The Democrat Party, led by Sathit Wongnongtoei, on 18 June 2008 submitted to Deputy House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranan a censure motion of no-confidence against Samak Sundaravej and 7 cabinet ministers in the parliament, to oust his coalition government. The marathon debate was held on 28 June. [ [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/18/content_8391617.htm xinhuanet.com, Thai Democrats launch no-confidence motion against PM and ministers in parliament] ] [ [http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/18/politics/politics_30075866.php nationmultimedia.com, Censure motion filed against PM, 7 ministers] ]

Amid 4 months in power and public street protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Samak and all 7 cabinet members survived the no-confidence motion, 3 days of censure debate terminated by the voting session on 27 June. As predicted by opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, of 442 MPs present, Samak got 280 votes of confidence and 162 votes of no-confidence. [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSSP16114720080627 reuters.com, Thai PM survives no-confidence motion as expected] ]

Resignations and impeachment

Samak Sundaravej's 5-month-old government was in great trouble on 10 July 2008 after Pattama, as 3rd top official in the ruling People Power Party (PPP) resigned, effective Monday. Its deputy leader Yongyut Tiyapairat, was banned from politics for 5 years, after the Supreme Court affirmed vote buying charges against him. Then, Chiya Sasomsub was removed from office by another supreme court, for illegally concealing his wife's assets. The Constitutional Court ruled on 8 July that Noppadon and the entire cabinet violated the charter by failing to ask parliamentary approval for a Cambodia deal. Noppadon signed the agreement on June, to support Cambodia's bid to seek World Heritage status for the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple. [ [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jW7yT69h_fFTKtjnwXORSDiMArVg afp.google.com, Thai government in disarray as foreign minister resigns] ] The Opposition filed a petition with deputy Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanit to impeach Noppadon Pattama over Preah Vihear Temple issue. Sathit Wongnongtoei submitted 141 signatures of MPs. Noppadon was accused of violating Article 190 and 270 of the Constitution. The Opposition filed the motion before Noppadon stepped down. [ [http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/07/10/politics/politics_30077773.php nationmultimedia.com, Noppadon impeached by the Opposition] ]

2008 political crisis

Even though, the campaigns demanding Sundaravej to resign from the premiership were abundant, He remarked that "I will never resign in response to these threats. I will not dissolve the House. I will meet the king today to report what's going on." He met with King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Hua Hin palace. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7589504.stm news.bbc.co.uk, Thai PM Samak refuses to resign] ]

Few days later, 30,000 protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy occupied Sundaravej's Government House compound in central Bangkok so as to force him and his advisers to work out of a military command post. Thai riot police entered the occupied compound and delivered a court order for the eviction of protesters. [ [http://www.gulfnews.com/world/Thailand/10241274.html gulfnews.com/world, Thai minister to stay despite protests] ] Chamlong Srimuang ordered 45 PAD guards to break into the main government building on Saturday. [ [http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gvt2G9EPA9UPyXWKie_ZyeeIcsig afp.google.com, Thai protesters break into government office as PM heads to consult king] ] 3 regional airports remain closed and 35 trains between Bangkok and the provinces were canceled. Protesters raided the Phuket International Airport tarmac on the resort island of Phuket Province resulting in 118 flights canceled or diverted, affecting 15,000 passengers. [ [http://www.eleconomista.es/mundo/noticias/726786/08/08/I-will-never-resign-says-besieged-Thai-PM.html eleconomista.es, "I will never resign" says besieged Thai PM] ]

Protesters also blocked the entrance of the airports in Krabi and Hat Yai (which was later re-opened). Police issued arrest warrants for Sondhi Limthongkul and 8 other protest leaders on charges of insurrection, conspiracy, unlawful assembly and refusing orders to disperse. [ [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/30/world/asia/30thai.html?ref=asia nytimes.com, Thai Protest of Premier Stops Trains and Planes] ] Meanwhile, Gen Anupong Paochinda stated: "The army will not stage a coup. The political crisis should be resolved by political means." Samak and the Thai Party ruling coalition called urgent parliamentary debate and session for 31 August. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7588114.stm news.bbc.co.uk, Pressure mounts on Thailand's PM] ] [ [http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=aGbXEEO82GFM&refer=asia bloomberg.com, Thai Party Calls Urgent Session as Protests Spread] ]

On 2 September 2008, following the clashes between the pre- and anti-government protesters which led at least one pre-gov protester to death, Sundaravej declared a controversial state of emergency. [ [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/02/headlines/headlines_30082270.php] ] It was scheduled to be lifted on 14 September 2008.

On 9 September of the year, the Constitutional Court of Thailand delivered a decision disqualifying Sundaravej from the premiership in accordance with the complaints lodged by the Senators and the Election Commission of Thailand. However, Sundaravej's People's Power Party vowed to vote him back to the premiership, [BBC News. (2008, 9 September). Court says Thai PM 'must resign'. [Online] . Available: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7605838.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7605838.stm] . (Accessed: 10 September 2008).] [ [http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/topstories.php?id=130573 Anyone But Samak] ] and he did not decline this nomination for prime minister as Kuthep Suthin Klangsang, PPP's deputy spokeman, said in a press release on 12 September: "Samak has accepted his nomination for prime minister. Samak said he is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and that he is happy to accept the post. A majority of party members voted Thursday to reappoint Samak. Samak is the leader of our party so he is the best choice."

Despite objections from its coalition partners, the PPP, in an urgent meeting, unanimously decided to renominate Samak Sundaravej. Five coalition parties, namely Chart Thai, Matchima Thipataya, Pracharaj, Puea Pandin and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, unanimously agreed to support the People Power party (PPP) to set up the new government and vote for the person who should be nominated as the new prime minister. Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissananantakul and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro said the next prime minister who will be nominated on Friday. Caretaker prime minister Somchai Wongsawat said PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee will notify the 5 parties who the PPP nominates to take office again. [ [http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=130591bangkokpost.com, Coalition parties to hold meeting this evening] ] [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hG71oGl1LokvZphtDQZzL44nzc3QD934BSU00 ap.google.com, Thai ruling party re-nominates leader as PM] ] [ [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/11/content_9921780.htm news.xinhuanet, Party spokesman: Samak accepts PM nomination] ] Some lawmakers, however, said they will propose an alternate candidate. Meanwhile, Thailand's army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said he backed the creation of a unity government that would include all the country's parties, and he also asked for the lifting of a state of emergency that Samak imposed on September 2. [ [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/11/thailand.pm/ edition.cnn.com, Thai ruling party nominates Samak for PM] ]

Abandoned

Embattled Samak abandoned his bid to regain his Thailand Prime Minister post, and Teerapon Noprampa said Samak would also give up the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) leadership. [ [http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=69262&sectionid=351020406 www.presstv.ir, Samak pulls out of Thai PM vote] ] [ [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/12/AR2008091203451.html washingtonpost.com, Ousted Premier Ends Attempt to Get Job Back] ] [ [http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=130625 bangkokpost.com, Somchai, Sompong are candidates for PM] ] [ [http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSSP26321320080913 reuters.com, Thai ruling coalition begins search for new PM] ]

Somchai Wongsawat was ratified by the National Assembly of Thailand as Prime Minister of Thailand on the 17th September [ [http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=130733 Parliament confirms Somchai] ] , winning 298 votes against 163 votes [ [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30083655 Somchai elected new prime minister] ] for Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Court Decision

The Senate President lodged a complaint with the Constitutional Court of Thailand (ConCourt) on 2 June 2008, and the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) submitted a similar complaint 29 July 2008. The complaits requested the ConCourt to decide whether the premiership of Samak Sundaravej is terminated upon Section 91, Section 182 Paragraph One (7) and Section 267 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2007).

On 9 September 2008, 15.30 hours, the ConCourt with Justice Chat Chonlaworn sitting as the President rendered its decision as follows: [คำวินิจฉัยศาลรัฐธรรมนูญที่ 12-13/2551. [ออนไลน์] . เข้าถึงได้จาก: [http://www.concourt.or.th/download/Center_desic/51/center12-13_51.pdf http://www.concourt.or.th/download/Center_desic/51/center12-13_51.pdf] . (เข้าถึงเมื่อ: 12 กันยายน 2551).]

1. The essence of the first complaint (Senators' Complaint) could be summarised as follows: as Sundaravej was a holder of the political position as a Prime Minister, he was under the subject of Section 267 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2007) prohibiting the Prime Minister and Ministers from having any position in a partnership, a company or an organisation carrying out business with a view to sharing profits or incomes or being an employee of any person. However, Sundaravej, who acknowledged the purpose of such Section so well, still worked for the Face Media Co., Ltd. as emcee of two cookery shows, "Chim Pai Bon Pai" (Tasting and Grumbling) and "Yok Khayong Hok Mong Chao" (All Set at 6am), and ceased from such works just when the ECT received a complaint concerning the case. Therefor, the Senators exercised their right under Section 91 requesting the President of the Senate to submit their complaint to the ConCourt to make a decision as said.

2. The essence of the second complaint (ECT's Complaint) could be summarised as follows: On 17 April 2008, Senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana lodged with the ECT a complaint that Sundaravej, pending his premiership, worked for Face Media Co., Ltd. which was a private company having commercial purpose. This was in breach of Section 267 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2007) and led to the termination of his premiership as of the date the said prohibited act was performed. The ECT has appointed an inquisitorial panel to look into the case and discovered that it was a "prima facie" case, so it unanimously resolved to forward the case to the ConCourt to make a decision as said.

3. Sundaravej, after having received a "quo warranto", represented to the accusation through submitting the letters dated 30 June, 14 August and 25 August of 2008 to the ConCourt, stated that:

* 3.1) he received no remuneration for being the emcee of both cookery TV programmes, but only 5,000 Baht as travelling costs.

* 3.2) he held no interests, shares or positions in the Face Media Co., Ltd. as well as received no salaries or other benefits from the said company.

* 3.3) as being the emcee of both programmes, he has been invited, not employed. This meant he was not an employee under the definition prescribed in the Labour Protection Act, BE 2541 (1998) and the Announcement of the Ministry of Interior Re: Labour Protection (No. 111).

* 3.4) as he has been seen on the said programmes after having assumed the premiership, those shows were pre-recorded for months and he has already ceased from being the emcee prior to having been in office.

4. The ConCourt considered that:

* 4.1) The spirit of this Constitution is to prevent against the conflict of interest which may cause the condition of misconduct—the condition compelled to choose between self-interest and public interest—to be occurred. Should a holder of the position offered by the public be mindful on his own interest beyond the public interest, he could conduct an abuse of his power. Therefor, the accomplishment of the spirit of the Constitution is not only to construct the term "employee" through the definition under the Civil and Commercial Code, the law on labour protection or the law on taxation, as each law contains different spirit and purposes of enforcement; as well as the siad laws are at the lower class than the Constitution. The term "employee" under the Constitution holds broader meaning than that of any other laws, and should be interpreted in a general path. For which the Official Dictionary of Thai Words by the Royal Institute, 1999 Version defined the term "employee" that "a person who works for any job; a person who agrees to work for other person, irrespective of how he is called."

* 4.2) Sundaravej gave an interview in the Sakul Thai Magazine vol 47 (Tuesday 23 October 2001) pp 37 that he was monthly paid 80,000 Baht for being the emcee of the said programmes. And pursuant to the letter Sundaravej replied to the Face Media Co., Ltd. on 25 December 2007 that he will do this work [being the emcee] without receiving anything as usual, this kind of letter has never been made by Sundaravej prior to being inquired by the ECT. As well as the affirmation of Sundaravej that he had received only the travelling costs from the Company was in contrary to the witnesses' testimonies and to the taxation evidences showing that what Sundaravej previously received was the payments for working, not only the travelling costs as he represented.

* 4.3) As Sundaravej defended himself that the programmes aired after he was in office were pre-recorded for months ago; however, in one of the said programmes Sundaravej stated that: "...Came agian those people who wanted to find a person to replace Mr Samak as boisterously appeared on the news. Yes, that group, the group which delivered an ultimatum to Mr Samak to resign. They newly discovered that the programme 'Tasting and Grumbling' was in breach of law. Because, as I assumed the premiership...and you know, they said that it [the Constitution] told that I was unable to be a temporary employee, permanent employee...But, I have to fill my words into your ears that after having been in the premiership for three months, I am engaging in such work still. Because I have got some counsels from the top legal advisers that..." This was a defence contrary "per se".

* 4.4) These were the clear traces of guilt. According to the conclusion of fact, it could be concluded that Sundaravej was an employee to the said Company. Moreover, three Constitutional judges deemed that Sundaravej portrait and the picture of rose apple mocking Sundaravej’s nose using as a logo of the "Tasting and Grumbling" programme as well the status of being an emcee and the use of the name "Tasting and Grumbling", a popular quote of Sundaravej, were the acts of engaging in a joint affair with a commercial purpose which were in breach of Section 267 of the Constitution. And another six judges deemed that it was not necessary to decide no more for what position Sundaravej held in the said Company, as he was manifestly breached the law.

5. Therefor, the ConCourt, by the unanimous resolution, delivered a decision that Sundaravej has performed the acts in breach of Section 267 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2007) which individually led to the termination of his premiership in accordance with Section 182 Paragraph One (7) of which, and called forth the vacating from office of the entire Council of Ministers under Section 180 Paragraph One (1). However, as the premiership has individually been terminated, all Ministers other than Sundaravej could remain in office as a caretaker government and continuing their functions until the new Council of Ministers is sworn in.

Reactions Following the Decision Delivery

Karn Tienkaew, deputy leader of Samak's People's Power Party, said it planned to propose a parliamentary vote Wednesday on returning Samak to power: "Samak still has legitimacy. The party still hopes to vote him back unless he says no. Otherwise we have many other capable candidates." [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hG71oGl1LokvZphtDQZzL44nzc3QD9334SVG0 ap.google.com, Thai leader forced to resign over TV cooking show] ]

On 10 September 2008, however, the PPP shied away from their earlier statement they would renominate Sundaravej and was apparently looking for an alternative candidate instead; [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7607863.stm] the new PM will be nominated on 12 September 2008. [http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/6497230.html]

People Power Party's deputy spokesman Kuthep Suthin Klangsang, on September 12, 2008, announced that: "Samak has accepted his nomination for prime minister. Samak said he is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and that he is happy to accept the post. A majority of party members voted Thursday to reappoint Samak. Samak is the leader of our party so he is the best choice." Despite objections from its coalition partners, the PPP, in an urgent meeting, unanimously decided to renominate Samak Sundaravej. 5 coalition parties, namely Chart Thai, Matchima Thipataya, Pracharaj, Puea Pandin and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, unanimously agreed to support the People Power party (PPP) to set up the new government and vote for the person who should be nominated as the new prime minister. Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissananantakul and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro said the next prime minister who will be nominated on Friday. Caretaker prime minister Somchai Wongsawat said PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee will notify the 5 parties who the PPP nominates to take office again. [ [http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=130591bangkokpost.com, Coalition parties to hold meeting this evening] ] [ [http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hG71oGl1LokvZphtDQZzL44nzc3QD934BSU00 ap.google.com, Thai ruling party re-nominates leader as PM] ] [ [http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-09/11/content_9921780.htm news.xinhuanet, Party spokesman: Samak accepts PM nomination] ] Some lawmakers, however, said they will propose an alternate candidate. Meanwhile, Thailand's army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said he backed the creation of a unity government that would include all the country's parties, and he also asked for the lifting of a state of emergency that Samak imposed on September 2. [ [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/11/thailand.pm/ edition.cnn.com, Thai ruling party nominates Samak for PM] ]

Disapproval of Samak

On 12 September 2008, however, the Isan faction of People Power Party (PPP) and the coalition parties boycotted the vote on a new Prime Minister, resulting in a lack of quorum and subsequent postponement of the vote. [http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/09/12/headlines/headlines_30083290.php House Adjourns Urgent Session] The boycott was a sign of Samak's disapproval from both his own party's members and coalition parties. Finally Samak gave up his re- election bid, allowing his party to choose new nominee. The majority of his party and coalitions eventually voted for Somchai Wongsawat, deputy prime minister, to be the new premier.

Ethical Issues

* Samak's taking of the premier's chair was controversial form the beginning, with him known as a nominee of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
* Samak has also defied human understanding and basic situational diplomacy in giving interviews to local and foreign media, including CNN and Al-Jazeera, in which he totally denied his part in the 6 October 1976 massacres in Bangkok. He has been on record, however, as using public media to incite pro-right violence back then.
* Samak continued in the shoes of his predecessors, being secretive and even flippant regarding many issues, including the economy.

Political profile

* Member of Democrat Party (1968-1976)
* Member of Parliament (1973-1975, 1976, 1979-1983, 1986-1990, 1992-2000)
* Founder and Leader of Prachakornthai Party (Thai Citizen Party) (1979-2000)
* Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives (1975-1976)
* Deputy Minister of Interior (1976)
* Minister of Interior (1976-1977)
* Minister of Transport (1983-1986, 1990-1991)
* Governor of Bangkok (2000-2004)
* Senator-elected (2006; later nullified by coup d'état)
* Leader of People's Power Party (2007-2008)
* Prime Minister (2008)

The leader of People's Power Party

On 29 July 2007, some former members of the Thai Rak Thai Party MPs agreed to contest the 2007 election as candidates of the People's Power Party. This was after the Thai Rak Thai Party was dissolved by the Thai Supreme Court on 30 May 2007 and followed the ban on participating in politics for many former TRT party politicians, such as Newin Chidchob, Buriram and former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Many other former TRT members have also formed their own parties, such as the Ruam Jai Thai and Puea Pandin parties.

Samak Sundaravej and former TRT Cabinet Minister Surapong Suebwonglee were elected People's Power Party leader and secretary general respectively on 24 August 2007. It was, also, widely known that Thaksin choosed him to be the new head of his former party's members.

On 23 December 2007 General Election the PPP won 228 seats, sufficient to win the election ahead of the Democrat Party but short of the 241 seats needed for a majority of the 480-seat house. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7158354.stm Thaksin ally wins Thai election] , BBC, 23 December 2007 ] He was able to form a six-party coalition, however, gaining a parliamentary majority of about two-thirds. [http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2008/01/30/2003399477 "Thailand's king officially endorses new prime minister"] , Associated Press ("Taipei Times"), 30 January 2008.]

In a parliamentary vote on 28 January 2008, Samak was elected Prime Minister, receiving 310 votes against 163 for Abhisit Vejjejava of the Democrat Party. He was endorsed as Prime Minister by the king on the next day. On 6 February, his Cabinet, including himself as Minister of Defense, was endorsed by the king and sworn in. [ [http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/6352004.html "Thailand's post-coup cabinet sworn in"] , Xinhua ("People's Daily Online"), 7 February 2008.] Sundaravej angrily insisted he was the country's real leader on 29 February 2008 despite the triumphant return from exile of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the man considered the driving force behind the new government. [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/29/thailand.ap/index.html "Thai PM: 'I'm the real prime minister'"] , AP ("CNN"), 29 February 2008.]

Samak Sundaravej ended his campaign to regain his position on September 12 2008. Mr Samak's decision was revealed on September 11 by Theerapol Nopparampa, his close aide, after he spent about 50 minutes meeting Mr Samak at his home and he told AP that Samak told him to tell "every reporter that he is going to step down from being the party leader and he will not accept the prime ministership." [ [http://www.bangkokpost.com/130908_News/13Sep2008_news00.php Samak steps aside after embarrassing no-vote] , Bangkok Post, September 12, 2008.] The ruling People's Power Party said earlier it was abandoning its bid to install Samak back in power. The announcements raise hopes of ending a political crisis buffeting the country. [ [http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/topstories.php?id=130619 Samak steps back] , Bangkok Post, September 12, 2008.] Leaders of the People Power Party had said since Tuesday that they would seek to restore Samak, but they need to convince five other parties in the coalition to go along with that choice. Some lawmakers have indicated they will propose an alternate candidate. [ [http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/09/12/thailand.pm/index.html Former Thai PM to end comeback bid, aide says] , CNN, September 12, 2008.]

Received Thai Decorations

* 1974 Commander (Third Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.
* 1975 Commander (Third Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.
* 1976 Knight Commander (Second Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.
* 1977 King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Cypher Medal (Rama IX).
* 1979 Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.
* 1981 Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.
* 1983 Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.
* 1984 Knight Commander (Second Class,lower grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao.
* 1984 Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.
* 1996 Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn.
* 2002 Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao.

ee also

*Samak Interview on [http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FCFBA8C6-4B98-4913-84F6-9C8DA2E7B273.htm Al Jazeera]
*Cabinet of Thailand

References

External links

* [http://blogs.houstonpress.com/eating/2008/09/crabby_thai_judiciary_fires_fo.php Crabby Thai Judiciary Fires Food Critic PM]
* [http://www.boringdays.net/hell-demon-sundaravej-tyrantis/ "Sundaravej tyrantis" Scientific-like paper]