Chai to become new speaker of house

Veteran politician Chai Chidchob was yesterday elected as the new speaker of the House of Representatives amid concern that his legal troubles might cut short his term.

Critics said yesterday that Chai, who is fighting a court case over encroachment of public land, might face the same fate as his predecessor, Yongyuth Tiyapairat, who recently stepped down to fight an electoral fraud case in the Supreme Court.

Chai yesterday won 283 votes in a secret ballot beating his opponent Democrat Party deputy leader Banyat Bantadtan, by a wide margin. Banyat obtained 158 votes.

There were 12 abstentions and all of them were believed to be MPs from smaller coalition parties, possibly Chart Thai and Puea Pandin.

A few Democrat MPs protested, saying it appeared the number of votes exceeded that of the participants at yesterday's House meeting. Democrat MP Boonyod Sukthinthai said some participants might have voted on behalf of some absentees as well.

But his protest was ignored by the meeting chairman, first deputy House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranond.

Chai defended himself on learningthe result. He said that since first elected as an MP in 1969, he has had no tainted record.

"I am honest and my good performance has been obvious. I have won the trust of voters," he said, adding he believed the attacks against him over the land encroachment court case were politically motivated.

He said the court battle would continue for many years to come.

Chai said he held no grudges over the 12 abstentions, who obviously came from coalition MPs. He also was not upset that Banharn Silpa-archa, leader of the coalition Chart Thai Party, was absent from yesterday's meeting to select the new House Speaker. Banharn said earlier that he was occupied with some business.

Chai yesterday promised to promote reconciliation between the government and opposition parties.

Banharn said he had congratulated Chai for being voted the new House Speaker, but expressed concern over how well Chai would perform his duties, judging from his poor record as the government chief whip.

Chart Thai MP Kanchana Silpa-archa, who is Banharn's daughter, expressed

concern that Chai's court case would

eventually land him in the same trouble as Yongyuth.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called on Chai to perform his duty without bias in order to restore confidence in the House Speaker.

Khon Kaen University lecturer Somphan Techa-athik yesterday attributed Chai's success of becoming new House Speaker to the strong influence of his son, Newin Chidchob.

Newin is one of the 111 former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party who have been stripped of their electoral rights for five years.

Somphan said despite his long years in the House, Chai has no apparent lawmaking experience that would make him suitable for the job.

Lt Colonel Sangworn Phupaijitkul, the policeman who once dealt with the land encroachment case against Chai, said it was improper for the person facing such a criminal case to become head of the legislative branch.

In a related development, Newin yesterday hosted a dinner for a group of northeastern MPs at a Bangkok hotel to celebrate his father's new role.