Finding the key to Samak's heart

 Finding the key to Samak's heart

Amid mounting political pressure for his resignation, a defiant Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej seems to fear no one - except his wife.

Back in May, Samak revealed that he was reprimanded by a phuyai, or elderly person, for using an inappropriate word during a press interview. The person also asked him not to give any interviews. He seemed to accept the order.

At first, the media and people thought the person was a "senior person in society". But Government spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat later clarified that the person was Khunying Surat, Samak's wife.

Earlier, Samak once confessed in a television interview that his wife had asked him not to speak much when he contested a senate election in 2006. Samak agreed to do her bidding.

When it became obvious that Samak's wife has influence over him, Khunying Surat was seen by a women's rights group as a national saviour. The rights group yesterday pleaded with Samak to quit to end the political crisis.

Ticha na Nakhon, a women's rights activist, said her group will write a letter to Khunying Surat and ask her to help negotiate between her husband and anti-government protesters.

"She shouldn't let the Sundaravej family be portrayed negatively by history," Ticha said.

jintana@nationgroup.com

A matter of faith, for some

Politics and prayer always go hand in hand. After storming the Government House last week, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) worshipped the statue of Hindu god Brahma - believed to be the protector of the compound - seeking victory.

Some 20 protesters led by Chatchai Sukhavadi, also known as Rang Roorchestra, held a minor worship ceremony yesterday afternoon.

The PAD stormed the Government House compound last Tuesday to force Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to step down. They made their final push to fight until Samak throws in the towel. The defiant prime minister has said he will neither resign nor dissolve the lower House.

Woralak Sirikanerat, a Brahma worshipper, said the protesters needed to ask for forgiveness from the god as storming his place in a rude manner is a sin.

"We also prayed to the god for our victory over the Samak government," she said.

Every politician taking office usually worships the Brahma statue installed on the rooftop of Thai Ku Fah building to seek blessings.

bancha@nationgroup.com