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Published on January 31, 2008

"I wish to extend my congratulations to Samak and supporters of the People Power Party as their party leader is now the prime minister," he said.

He urged the new prime minister to quickly restore public confidence by lining up a credible Cabinet and spelling out clear policies, and said Samak should prioritise public issues to tackle rather than devote his time to serving certain groups or individuals.

"Issues involving former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should be resolved via due process and the government should allow justice to run its course," he said.

He said the people had high expectations for the government to resolve economic problems and that the country might face a new round of turmoil if authorities failed to address the people's plight.

Meanwhile, Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said his party would give the opportunity for the new prime minister to work though keeping tabs on him as the opposition.

"In the past we have aired so much criticism on Samak but as he has received the royal command on his appointment as prime minister, we should give him a chance, while the Democrats will do our job as the opposition," he said.

Since Samak claimed himself to be a career politician, he should know how to meet the people's aspirations, he said, arguing the Democrats would immediately start to monitor the government's performance without allowing time to warm up to the job.

He refused to comment on the allocation of Cabinet seats, saying it was up to Samak and the People Power Party to finalise the decision.

The Nation