Key faction backs Somkid
A major faction in the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday promised its support for caretaker Deputy Premier and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak to become prime minister if Thaksin Shinawatra decides to take a break from politics.
"The Wang Nam Yom group is firm about backing Somkid if Thaksin opts for a break from politics," said Somsak Thepsuthin, the faction leader. The veteran politician was responding to a press report that Somkid had informed Thaksin about his intention not to seek a place on the party list to contest the next election, which in effect would rule him out as a prime ministerial candidate. "I'm not sure if Somkid said that. But it's not too hard to convince him if we believe he's suitable for the job. We will collective?ly appeal to him [to accept the premier?ship]. I don't think he would be so cruel as to turn us down," said Somsak. The Constitution requires that the prime minister be an elected member of Parliament. Somkid, who is a Thai Rak Thai deputy leader, yesterday declined to comment on the matter. The next general election, which has been scheduled for October 15, is expected to be postponed as the new Election Commission is yet to be formed.
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