BANGKOK // Tension remains high in Thailand over the current political crisis as parliament is scheduled tomorrow to elect a new prime minister, after the Constitutional Court removed Samak Sundaravej from office on Tuesday for presenting a cooking show on television.
Politicians from the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) and its five smaller coalition partners have nominated Mr Samak for re-election.
"Samak is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and he is happy to accept the post," Suthin Klangsang, a spokesman for the governing PPP, told journalists today.
But pressure is building for the former prime minister to bow out gracefully in light of the court's decision and other cases pending against him, including a defamation suit and a Constitutional Court hearing that could ban him from politics for five years and disband the PPP for electoral fraud.
Several government MPs from the north-east of the country are urging Mr Samak not to stand again, according to party sources, and some of the PPP's coalition partners are wary about continuing to back Mr Samak.
Analysts said the re-election of Mr Samak would lead to even greater social turmoil than the current situation, that had seen weeks of anti-government protesters demanding the resignation of Mr Samak.
"If Samak decides to return, the political conflict will worsen further, and society will see an even more serious rift," said Jantana Suttijaree, a political scientist at Chiang Mai University.
Duncan McCargo, a Thailand analyst at Leeds University in England, agreed.
"Samak's return will only lead to more demonstrations, and a widening of the rift between the two camps," he said.
Business interests are concerned about the damage being done to Thailand's economy and have urged Mr Samak to heed public opinion and not seek re-election.
"We want to see the political deadlock end as soon as possible," Santi Vilassakdanont, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said. "We don't want Samak to return as this will only prolong the impasse."
Outside parliament, thousands of protesters - barricaded inside the prime minister's official compound in Bangkok - are now demanding the government resign as well.
"If the PPP votes Samak back as prime minister, after he was disqualified by the court, the party's true character will be revealed - they are nothing but bandits," said Somsak Kosaisuk, one of the protests leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (Pad).
However, with the country almost evenly divided between support for, and opposition to, the government, many say Mr Samak's resignation will do little to resolve the current deadlock.
"The prime minister's resignation will not solve anything, but it will only increase the chances of another coup," said Chaturon Chaisang, a former deputy prime minister under Thaksin Shinawatra - who was ousted two years ago in a military coup and is now living in exile in England. "This is what the protesters want: more turmoil and conflict."
Anupong Paochina, the army chief, however, has said the military would not get involved in politics.
Today, Mr Paochina urged the government to lift the state of emergency that was introduced 10 days ago, after violent scuffles between pro-government supporters and anti-government protesters left one person dead and several injured.
He has also reportedly suggested that Thailand needs a national coalition government - which would mean Abhsit Vejjajiva, the opposition leader, would become prime minister.
The government is keen to portray this political deadlock as a fight between the democratically elected and legitimate government and the illegal and violent mob on the street.
"Samak's government is far from perfect. Nevertheless, it was elected [in last December's polls]," said Sombat Thamronthanyawong, of the pro-government National Institute of Development Administration.
"The parliamentary process may not be a perfect system, but it provides the best hope for stable and peaceful political development in Thailand.
"The People's Alliance for Democracy doesn't just want to change the government, they want to overrule the electoral system itself," Mr Sombat said.
The Pad leaders, especially Sondhi Limthongkul, a media mogul, are advocating a "new politics" - a form of paternalism, where the majority of parliament would be nominated rather than elected. "The 70 per cent to 30 per cent is only a model, it could be 50-50," Mr Sondhi said earlier this week.
"I don't know the exact details of the 'new politics'. What is important is that old politics didn't give channels for people to air their grievances; what we have to do is find new ways to get more people to participate in politics from all walks of life," he said.
The occupation of government house is not likely to end soon as even a change of prime minister will not placate protesters.
"This is a mission - a philosophical fight - and we are prepared to die for the cause," Mr Sondhi said.
ljagan@thenational.ae
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
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The team
Photographer: Mateusz Stefanowski at Art Factory
Videographer: Jear Valasquez
Fashion director: Sarah Maisey
Make-up: Gulum Erzincan at Art Factory
Model: Randa at Art Factory Videographer’s assistant: Zanong Magat
Photographer’s assistant: Sophia Shlykova
With thanks to Jubail Mangrove Park, Jubail Island, Abu Dhabi
Ronaldo's record at Man Utd
Seasons 2003/04 - 2008/09
Appearances 230
Goals 115
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
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Abu Dhabi race card
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6.30pm Maiden | Dh80,000 | 1,600m
7pm Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap | Dh80,000 | 1,400m
7.30pm Handicap (TB) |Dh100,000 | 2,400m
Company%20Profile
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The%20Mother%20
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Company%20profile
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AS IT STANDS IN POOL A
1. Japan - Played 3, Won 3, Points 14
2. Ireland - Played 3, Won 2, Lost 1, Points 11
3. Scotland - Played 2, Won 1, Lost 1, Points 5
Remaining fixtures
Scotland v Russia – Wednesday, 11.15am
Ireland v Samoa – Saturday, 2.45pm
Japan v Scotland – Sunday, 2.45pm
THE BIO
Favourite holiday destination: Whenever I have any free time I always go back to see my family in Caltra, Galway, it’s the only place I can properly relax.
Favourite film: The Way, starring Martin Sheen. It’s about the Camino de Santiago walk from France to Spain.
Personal motto: If something’s meant for you it won’t pass you by.
Fighting with My Family
Director: Stephen Merchant
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Nick Frost, Lena Headey, Florence Pugh, Thomas Whilley, Tori Ellen Ross, Jack Lowden, Olivia Bernstone, Elroy Powell
Four stars
The Lowdown
Us
Director: Jordan Peele
Starring: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseqph, Evan Alex and Elisabeth Moss
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
Tree of Hell
Starring: Raed Zeno, Hadi Awada, Dr Mohammad Abdalla
Director: Raed Zeno
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Transmission: ten-speed
Power: 420bhp
Torque: 624Nm
Price: Dh325,125
On sale: Now
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
How it works
Each player begins with one of the great empires of history, from Julius Caesar's Rome to Ramses of Egypt, spread over Europe and the Middle East.
Round by round, the player expands their empire. The more land they have, the more money they can take from their coffers for each go.
As unruled land and soldiers are acquired, players must feed them. When a player comes up against land held by another army, they can choose to battle for supremacy.
A dice-based battle system is used and players can get the edge on their enemy with by deploying a renowned hero on the battlefield.
Players that lose battles and land will find their coffers dwindle and troops go hungry. The end goal? Global domination of course.
Sarfira
Director: Sudha Kongara Prasad
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
'The Sky is Everywhere'
Director:Josephine Decker
Stars:Grace Kaufman, Pico Alexander, Jacques Colimon
Rating:2/5
'C'mon C'mon'
Director:Mike Mills
Stars:Joaquin Phoenix, Gaby Hoffmann, Woody Norman
Rating: 4/5
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE Premiership
Results
Dubai Exiles 24-28 Jebel Ali Dragons
Abu Dhabi Harlequins 43-27 Dubai Hurricanes
Fixture
Friday, March 29, Abu Dhabi Harlequins v Jebel Ali Dragons, The Sevens, Dubai
Company%20Profile
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ICC men's cricketer of the year
2004 - Rahul Dravid (IND) ; 2005 - Jacques Kallis (SA) and Andrew Flintoff (ENG); 2006 - Ricky Ponting (AUS); 2007 - Ricky Ponting; 2008 - Shivnarine Chanderpaul (WI); 2009 - Mitchell Johnson (AUS); 2010 - Sachin Tendulkar (IND); 2011 - Jonathan Trott (ENG); 2012 - Kumar Sangakkara (SL); 2013 - Michael Clarke (AUS); 2014 - Mitchell Johnson; 2015 - Steve Smith (AUS); 2016 - Ravichandran Ashwin (IND); 2017 - Virat Kohli (IND); 2018 - Virat Kohli; 2019 - Ben Stokes (ENG); 2021 - Shaheen Afridi
Company%20Profile
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