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Published on January 14, 2008

He said there had been such talk because Samak is facing investigation over the purchase of fire-fighting equipment.

The People Power and other parties that agree to form a coalition government would nominate Samak to be PM.

"Samak is the PPP leader so he will get to be PM under the democratic process,'' Surapong said. "PPP does not have any back-up PM".

He said the Chart Thai Party and Puea Pandin Party would officially announce their decision to join the PPP coalition soon. He denied reports that the delay by the two parties to join the PPP had anything to do with their demand for Cabinet seats.

A PPP source said the two parties would announce their decision to join the PPP on January 17. They had delayed announcing their decision due to the passing away of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana.

The source said Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, who returned to the country last week to face trail over the Ratchadaphisek land deal, had sought approval from a "respectable senior figure" over the formation of a government.

"The senior figure does not object to the PPP's move to form a government but had voiced concern over the candidate for PM. The PPP's choice is Samak but there are doubts as to whether he could bring reconciliation to the country,'' he said.

The Nation