TRT urged to name new premier ahead of by-election
A Democrat Party deputy leader called on Friday on the Thai Rak Thai Party to name its candidate for prime minister within the next few days for the benefit of voters in the April 23 by-elections.
Wittaya Kaewparadai said naming the successor to Thaksin Shinawatra would help voters in the 39 byelection constituencies decide whom to vote for, generate enthusiasm and reduce the prospect of further rounds of polling. However, Wittaya said, the Democrat Party is still awaiting the Administrative Court's decision on a request by the People's Alliance for Democracy to invalidate the April 2 general election on grounds of being unconstitutional. Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai spokesman Sita Divari downplayed Wang Nam Yom faction leader Somsak Thepsuthin's belief that the party faced turmoil if its factions could not agree on the next prime minister. Sita said Somsak was entitled to his opinion, but the decision would depend on the party's resolution. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop said he believed the decision rested with the party's current leader, Thaksin. Six Thai Rak Thai factions on Thursday decided to back caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak as the next prime minister, to free the party from Thaksin's overbearing influence. Wang Nam Yom (130 MPs), Rim Nam (15), Lamtakong (7), Wang Phya Nag (10), Chon Buri (7) and the Central provinces (10) factions discussed the issue of a successor following Thaksin's decision not to take the premiership in the next government. In talks via teleconference, the factions decided they did not want Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Bhokin Bhalakula or Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan as prime minister. Bhokin said the party would decide who the next prime minister would be. Asked to respond to calls from the party's factions, Thai Rak Thai deputy secretarygeneral Prommin Lertsuridej said yesterday it was too soon to decide who would be the next prime minister. Asked if the party should allow MPs to vote freely for Thaksin's successor, Prommin said the matter should be discussed once the election is completed. He denied that the party would be divided on the matter, saying those members who disagreed with the party had already left. "Those remaining are people who are united,'' he said. The Nation
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