June 24, 2008
BANGKOK - Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej today defends himself in a no-confidence debate proposed by the opposition party.
The Democrat Party claims Samak is running the country on behalf of the then-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, while protesters camped outside Government House say he is suppressing corruption cases against his predecessor.
Samak and seven cabinet ministers will be grilled over their handling of the economy, a deal with Cambodia over a disputed temple, the transparency of procurement of buses for the capital, and other issues.
"We want only to do our job of investigating the government," Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon told AFP.
"The investigation of a government's performance does not depend on how long they have been in office for. Once they show signs of corruption and inefficient work it's enough to lodge a no-confidence motion."
PPP spokesman Kudeb Saikrajang said Samak was confident going into the debate.
"He can answer any question because the government has done nothing wrong," Kudeb said. "This debate is an effort to link him with former premier Thaksin to destroy his reputation."
The debate will end with a no-confidence vote on Thursday, and Samak has vowed to step down if he loses.
Analysts say that even if Samak were somehow forced out of office, tensions would remain between the traditional elite and voters.
"Even if there is a house dissolution and a new election, the politics will resume the same road because the PPP will come back, a shadow of the Thaksin system, and the PAD will resume its action," said Somjai Phagaphasvivat, a political analyst at Thammasat University.
