Samak on the brink

A well-informed source said Samak's resignation would pave the way for three possible scenarios, all of which will take place within the current constitutional framework.

1. Samak could dissolve Parliament.

2. He could resign to pave the way for a new coalition government.

3, Samak's resignation could result in the formation of a national unity government.

In the third scenario, Parliament will need to support an amendment of Article 171 of the Constitution, under which the prime minister must be a Member of Parliament, the source added.

Samak has been driven into a tight corner, suffering two blows in a row yesterday. The first blow came when Army chief Anupong Paochinda told Samak that he would not use force to disperse anti-government protesters from Government House despite Tuesday's declaration of a state of emergency.

The second blow for Samak yesterday came when Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag resigned.

Anupong's tough stand and Tej's resignation plan spawned intense rumours last night that Samak was ready to call it a day.

However, Samak's booking of a Public Relations Department radio network at 7.30 am for a public address this morning was later played down as an effort to "explain" the current situation, including Tej's resignation, to the people.

Army chief Anupong told Samak that he will not use force to crack down on the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) protesters, according to First Army Region Commander Prayut Chanocha.

"It is difficult to use military and police forces against the people. Using force could worsen the situation. It would go step by step and take time. Please don't expect that the state of emergency could finish everything quickly. The officials need time to work," Prayut quoted Anupong as saying to Samak.

Samak had expected tough action against the protesters. But the soft approach of the military gave Samak no sword to bring down the PAD.

Meanwhile, members of the Privy Council yesterday reportedly were granted royal audience with His Majesty the King to report on the situation.

People Power Party MP Panya Sripanya said it is possible that his party would press Samak to step down rather than dissolve the lower House. The party's MPs from the northeastern region will hold a meeting today to take a stand over the situation. But another MP, Kan Thiankeow, said the option to dissolve the house of representatives was likely but it was the prime minister's decision.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he only had information that Samak would be on radio this morning to clarify the political situation.

Abhisit turned down the suggestion that he could be proposed as new prime minister if Samak resigns, and also declined to comment if he would accept the proposal.

However, Abhisit said even if Samak resigns, the passing of the 2009 Budget Bill would not be affected as the deliberation belongs to the Parliament, not the government.