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Published on February 7, 2008

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej says he intends to stay in office for four years and will only seek amnesty for the 111 former executives of Thai Rak Thai party during the last three months of his term.

"The Constitution has stated that the government's term is four years, so I would like to keep the government going for four years. I think I can do it. And I will only work on the amnesty law in the last three months of my term," he said.

His comments signalled he was willing to go ahead and clash with ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who reportedly favoured Samak's government to stay for a year at most to accomplish the task of granting amnesty to the banned executives before dissolving Parliament.

Thaksin had brought in Samak to lead People Power Party, widely regarded as a reincarnation of Thai Rak Thai.

Thaksin has hoped the PPP-led coalition would serve a brief term because its main task was to secure his return to politics.

Thaksin is among those banned from politics for five years by the Constitution Tribunal.

Speaking after he led his Cabinet to attend a swearing-in ceremony before His Majesty the King yesterday, Samak made it clear he would be charting his own future.

As he said he would only introduce the amnesty legislation in the latter part of his term, it means Samak was willing to have the Constitution Tribunal's ruling stay its course.

Samak spoke to the press in a good mood, saying he would hold a news conference twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Fridays.

He said he would like to keep a friendly relationship with the press.

"If we speak to each other using polite language, I am very happy to be nice to everybody," he said.

Samak will also host his radio programme every Sunday morning.

The Cabinet will hold its first meeting tomorrow.

As Thaksin is believed to be the major financier of PPP, analysts had earlier viewed Samak as just a proxy.

But Samak's interview yesterday showed he would like to be his own man and remain independent of Thaksin, warning other Cabinet members about corruption.

He said his Cabinet colleagues have already attended the swearing-in ceremony before His Majesty so they should be aware of this issue.

He also asked for cooperation from Cabinet members to help steer the country forward because Thailand has suffered long enough from political turmoil.

On the managing the economy, he said his government should farm out the job on two fronts: Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, the finance minister, would be responsible for macroeconomic management while Mingkwan Saengsuwan, the deputy prime minister and commerce minister, would handle matters relating to employment, investment and ways to boost state coffers.

A political source said PPP is preparing to appoint Dr Olarn Chaipravat, Pansak Winyaratn and Nibhat Bhukkanasut as economic advisors to the government.

No one suspected Samak would stage a break so quickly, as the swearing in did not seem extraordinary.

Samak left his house a little after 2pm yesterday with his deputy Sahas Banditkul and his secretary-general-to-be, Teerapol Noprumpa.

When he arrived at his office, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung was waiting.

Both then joined other ministers to have their Cabinet photographs taken for the record.

The first to arrive was Science and Technology Minister Wutthipong Chaisang who came at 1.45 pm.

PM's Office Minister Choosak Sirinin came after him.

During the photographic session and coffee-break, Deputy Finance Minister Ranongrak Suwanchawee talked to Samak.

They seem to enjoy the chat. Samak earlier criticised Ranongrak's appointment, saying he preferred someone else.

After the audience with His Majesty the King, Samak had a talk with the ministers for about 20 minutes.

Social Development and Human Security Minister Sutha Chansaeng said Samak urged the ministers to obey His Majesty's advice to work for the people and to cherish and honour their posts.

Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop said Samak encouraged ministers to perform their work and stay united.

A source, who asked not to be named, said Samak asked them to help each other and prevent conflicts, especially in checking corruption.

He also hoped the ministers would take joy in their work.

They should consider themselves as belonging to the same Cabinet, no matter which party they may be from.

By doing so they can keep the government working for a long time, he said.

Before their terms end, they will also be working on Constitution amendments, he said.

Piyanart Srivalo,

Woranaree Kosajan

The Nation