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The Constitutional Court yesterday made a historic ruling by ordering Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to stand down immediately over the scandal surrounding his TV cooking show "Tasting and Whining". Samak's supporters will sympathise with him because they believe he had no ill-intent or ulterior motive in continuing to host his popular cooking show, which has run for seven years, when he took office as prime minister. After all, the remuneration that Samak received from the show would not make a big financial difference for a man in his position.

However, the rule of law must be upheld. Samak's fate is a result of his carelessness. He refused to stop hosting the show, breaking a constitutional prohibition on private employment while in office. In spite of Samak's argument that he is not a direct employee of the TV production company, the court ruled yesterday that the sub-contract for his hosting of the show is considered a kind of employment.

Regardless of Samak's intent, the court decided to go by the book. The Constitution strictly prohibits government ministers from accepting payment from any company in order to prevent any question of a conflict of interest. Consequently, Samak has become the first prime minister of Thailand to be forced to leave office by court order.

The ruling, which resulted in Samak immediately stepping down, has helped ease the political tension, but it does not mean an end to the turbulence. This verdict shows that the judicial system in Thailand is operating effectively and can provide answers on how to deal with the questions of conflict of interest and corruption.

Over the past few months, the government's opponents have attacked Samak for failing to represent the country's interests and for being a proxy of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thailand remains mired in a deep political crisis that has virtually paralysed the government, spooked the financial markets and scared away tourists. Samak's opponents, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, have laid siege to Government House since August 26. Since then, the country has gone nowhere.

The court's verdict yesterday should be the start of a solution for the country. It left a provision for the country to be governed by allowing the Cabinet to remain as a caretaker administration for 30 days until Parliament elects a new prime minister.

The verdict has calmed the political tension and helped create a conducive environment in which lawmakers and the government's opponents, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, to find a solution soon and in a peaceful manner. This must be seen as an imperative by all sides.

With the verdict delivered, all sides should now listen to each other in a sincere attempt to sort out the political mess. The leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy should be pleased that the judicial system has functioned effectively. Thus they no longer need to continue with their hard-line approach to get what they want in the name of civil politics.

All sides should be heeding each other now that the court has turned the responsibility back to them. Samak has played his part well by saying he will accept and abide by the verdict. Everyone should take this opportunity to sort out their differences for the sake of the nation. As for the PPP, the last thing it should do is push for the nomination of someone whose name will provoke greater political trouble.