Funding approved for weapons, new Parliament

The decision came a few hours before the Constitution Court read its verdict disqualifying Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for his involvement as an employee in two television cooking shows.

At its mobile meeting in the Northeastern province, the Cabinet endorsed a request by the House of Representatives' Secretariat for Bt774 million to build the new parliamentary compound at Bangkok's Kiak Kai area, said Deputy Government Spokesman Nattawut Saikua.

"The prime minister told the Cabinet meeting that the construction project for the new Parliament will continue, and the Kiak Kai area has been considered the most suitable for the project," he said.

The Government House compound has not been used since anti-government protesters began occupying the grounds two weeks ago.

The Cabinet yesterday also approved the purchase of military weapons worth more than Bt6 billion, Government Spokesman Wichianchot Sukchotrat told reporters.

The deal includes a Bt4.9-billion amphibious frigate, a small aircraft, a laser mapping system and thousands of rifles and other light weapons.

"It's related to the Defence Ministry and internal security," the spokesman said.

The announcement was made before the court ordered Samak, who was also the defence minister, to resign for accepting payments for hosting television cooking shows but that was not expected to have an impact on the arms purchase.

The government approved the purchase of thousands of rifles and other light arms from Israel, as well as shoulder-fired missiles from Russia, the spokesman said.

The frigate will be built in Thailand, he said.