Democrats 'power crazy'

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday attempted to discredit the opposition's censure motion by describing it as a reflection of the Democrat Party's strong desire to become the government.

"They can't tolerate seeing this government remain in office. They are waiting for this government to go," Samak said.

"They wonder why this stupid government has the chance to deal with projects worth hundreds of billions of baht," he said.

Samak accused Abhisit Vejjajiva, the opposition leader and Democrat Party chief, of craving the prime minister's seat.

"Great desire to become prime minister was evident after the election results were announced," Samak said, without naming anyone but leaving no doubt as to whom he referred. He said the Democrats were trying to form a government even though their coalition would only have a few MPs more than the majority.

"Just four months and they can't wait. I wonder if they can tolerate four years."

Abhisit earlier said Samak's government had caused much damage to the country over its four months in office and that the size of the damage would be far greater if allowed to complete its four-year term.

Samak began his one-hour speech by countering the opposition leader's allegation that he was ungrateful to MR Seni Pramoj, the late ex-premier and former Democrat leader who persuaded Samak to enter politics by joining the party. Abhisit, whose speech lasted about two and a half hours, had said he hoped Samak would have been grateful to Seni as much as he was grateful to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"I have never been ungrateful to MR Seni Pramoj," Samak said.

He also said he had no obligations to return Thaksin's favour. "It's Thaksin who has to return my favour," Samak said, without elaborating.

The PM insisted he had not returned anyone's favour over the past four months in office.

He said the opposition's nine points of accusation outlined in its censure motion against him were "far more serious than facts".

"I am confident I have done no damage to the country. I will continue my duties as the government leader," Samak said.

He said he would meet leaders of foreign countries and continue with his schedule of overseas visits to China, Russia, European countries and the UN headquarters.

The prime minister said the opposition leader's "disdainful" speech against him would damage his image in the eyes of foreign leaders "if they don't know the facts".

Samak also countered Abhisit's allegation the government would cause Thailand to lose more territory to Cambodia for supporting that country's effort to register the Preah Vihear Temple as a World Heritage site.

The government had been careful about the boundaries between the two countries and had consulted with experts at the Foreign Affairs Ministry about the matter, he said.

He also rejected the allegation that his government's action over the Preah Vihear issue was linked to Thaksin's business opportunities in Cambodia. "We have done the right thing. And there are no trade-offs," he said, adding Thaksin's business projects in Cambodia were unrelated.

The prime minister also pointed to the importance of keeping good relationships with neighbouring countries, which he said would bring benefits to Thailand. For example, Thailand had entered into an agreement with Cambodia to grow energy plants to supply Thailand's production of ethanol.

"We can't move our country elsewhere. We have to keep good ties with neighbours so that we can have peace of mind," Samak said.

The Preah Vihear agreement with Cambodia was also a way to keep good relations with our neighbour and that the ongoing nationalistic fervour was souring ties between the two countries.

Samak defended himself against other allegations by the opposition leader. He said the Constitution amendment plan was not aimed at helping Thaksin over his corruption cases and that many cases had been filed with courts. "He will not be spared if he is found to be guilty."

The prime minister appeared to repeat what he said during his weekly "Talking Samak Style" programme in countering the opposition's allegations. His speech yesterday, which was broadcast live on the state-run NBT, was interrupted by the station's brief hourly news programme.