If Samak assumes the Senate speaker's post, Lerdchai said he believed a climate of confrontation would return to loom over national politics, because those who backed the veteran's push for the post would inevitably be dyedinthewool Thaksin supporters.

"The rise of Samak will assert a belief that Thaksin still has full power to control national politics," he said.

"It will lead to a new round of tensions, which could escalate into violence."

Surachet Payunyong, president of the alumni association of Mahavajiravudh Songkhla School, said Samak had done nothing for the country.

"Samak has only assaulted other people through his [defunct] TV talk shows," he said.

Samak even criticised Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda, alleging that Prem made an indirect verbal attack on Thaksin. Samak then refused to apologise for his "improper behavior", said Surachet.

"I strongly believe there is a better candidate than Samak among the 200 new senators," he said.

Samak himself yesterday refused to comment on his possible nomination.

Since Wednesday's Senate election, in which Samak finished second for Bangkok, his name has been floated as a potential candidate for the post of Senate speaker, along with Klanarong Chantik, former secretarygeneral of the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Yesterday, Thai Rak Thai MP Pracha Prasobdee came out to back Samak.

"The Senate speaker needs to coordinate the Upper House with the Lower House, and must be accepted by all sides. Samak has all the qualifications," he said.

Pracha dismissed allegations Samak was a TRT nominee.

"He is apparently independent from any party, I don't think anyone can control him," said Pracha.

Poraphol Adireksarn, TRT MP for Saraburi, said Samak was the right man for the powerful Senate speaker's post.

Having been a member House repeatedly, and having been a minister in several administrations, Samak undoubtedly deserved the job, said Poraphol.

The Nation