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Published on November 15, 2007

"I put the country's interests first, not my personal grudges," said Banharn, in response to Samak's query on why Banharn wanted to side with a party that launched a censure motion against his administration in 1996.

Banharn said Samak had tried to get him to switch allegiances and side with his party. During a seminar organised by the PPP, Samak claimed Banharn had vowed to be a PPP ally for good.

Banharn downplayed the comment, saying: "Having allies and a strong political ideology are separate things.''

He recalled that several parties stabbed him in the back 12 years ago except Samak, but said he had also helped Samak campaign to become Bangkok governor.

Samak said Banharn should be grateful for help he gave over his father's nationality.

In September 1996, the Democrat-led opposition launched a censure motion against the Banharn administration, alleging he should be disqualified as prime minister because his father was not a Thai citizen.

The Democrats said Banharn's father was a migrant from mainland China, so he did not hold Thai citizenship. They claimed Banharn should not have qualified to be prime minister because the law states both of the PM's parents must be Thai citizens.

Although Banharn survived the censure debate, he was forced to dissolve the Lower House after former Chart Thai Party secretary-general Snoh Thienthong defected to Chavalit Yongchaiyudh's New Aspiration Party, which withdrew from the coalition government.

Banharn promised to quit in seven days, but dissolved the House instead, incurring the wrath of Chavalit and his allies.

 The Nation