'We'll vote Samak back if he loses'

They said they felt Samak was the best-qualified person from their party and he deserved to be government leader.

Some of the MPs pointed out that even if Samak was disqualified by the court, there was no law to prevent him from assuming the top job again.

They spoke yesterday as the court began hearings in a case involving the PM. Samak is accused of violating the charter by hosting two TV shows while also being prime minister.

Samak began hosting "Chim Pai Bon Pai" and "Yok Khayong Hok Mong Chao" programmes before he became prime minister in late January and continued to host the shows until mid-May, when criticism grew over the matter.

Article 267 of the Constitution prohibits the prime minister and other government ministers from holding any position in a partnership, a company or a profit-oriented organisation, or being an employee of any person.

Paijit Sriworakhan, a People Power MP who leads its Isaan Pattana faction, said yesterday his group would vote Samak back as PM if he was removed from office by the court.

Anucha Sasomsap, a party MP from Nakhon Pathom, who is the brother of Commerce Minister Chaiya Sasomsap, said Samak was the best-qualified person in the ruling party.

"When there is voting for a new prime minister, I will vote for Samak once again. I think there should be no problem," he said.

Suthin Klangsang, from a faction of northeastern MPs close to banned politician Newin Chidchob, said those in his group agreed to support Samak, who he said was able to keep all groups in the party together.

Jatuporn Phromphan, a PPP party-list MP, said Samak's talk to party MPs earlier this week had improved unity within the ruling party.

Samak insisted on Tuesday he would never stab ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra in the back after being picked as party leader. He was responding to pressure from MPs loyal to Thaksin, who were upset that the premier had not acted sufficiently to protect Thaksin's reputation.

Police earlier distributed wanted posters for Thaksin and his wife Pojaman to police stations throughout the country after the Supreme Court issued arrest warrants for them for skipping bail.

Sathaporn Maneerat, an MP from Lamphun, said a court ruling to disqualify Samak would not ban him from politics and therefore he could return as prime minister. He cited the example of an earlier court ruling to disqualify Chaiya Sasomsap, who served as public health minister in Samak's previous Cabinet, for failing to properly report shares held by his wife.

Chaiya lost the public health portfolio but was later appointed commerce minister in the current Cabinet.

The Constitution Court judges met representatives and lawyers for the plaintiffs and the accused yesterday to discuss their lists of witnesses.

Both sides told the court they agreed to witness lists proposed by each other. The witnesses include officials from Face Media Co, the producer of the programmes in question, and directors or representatives of TV Channels 3 and 5, which broadcast Samak's shows.

The first hearing of witnesses is scheduled for next Tuesday.