• 
• 

In their statement, the academics explained any attempt to reinstate Samak, who was disqualified in a Constitution Court ruling on Tuesday for conflict of interest, would be tantamount to "destroying the value of the Constitution".

They said the constitutional ban on Cabinet members being employed by any business was an attempt to prevent public office holders from being influenced by private entities and that the court had interpreted the provision accordingly.

"Do not allow your decision to destroy the value of the Constitution and do not let your decision keep Thailand further away from being a society of virtue and ethics," said the statement.

Of the academics signing the statement, 13 were from Thammasat University, four from Naresuan University, one from Chulalongkorn University and one from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.

The academics included Banjerd Singkaneti, Komsan Phokong, Thitipan Chuabunchai, Rattasak Bamrungsuk, Sawaeng Boonchalermvipas and Surasak Maneesorn.

Chamlong Srimuang, a leader of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), yesterday said reinstating Samak as prime minister would be "a childish act" and possibly irritate His Majesty the King.

He warned that Samak might be disqualified again if the Appeals Court on September 25 upheld a lower court's jail sentence against him.

"It is the PPP's right to nominate Samak as prime minister again, but what if royal endorsement is sought for his appointment, and Samak is disqualified again by the court ruling on September 25? Aren't they afraid that might irritate HM the King? It's a childish act," Chamlong said.

The Constitution stipulates that Cabinet members must lose their seat when they are sentenced by court to a term of imprisonment. On Tuesday, the Constitution Court disqualified Samak for violating the charter by retaining his role as a public company's employee while serving as prime minister. Samak hosted two television cooking shows, which the court described as a conflict of interest.

Chamlong yesterday said selection of a new prime minister was a matter for the House of Representatives.

The PAD does not have a favourite candidate for the seat, he said.

Meanwhile, academics and business people yesterday expressed opposition to the idea of reinstating Samak as prime minister. They said it was illegitimate and would do more harm than good to the country's politics and economy.

Jantana Suttijaree of Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration said that as an MP, Samak had the right to be nominated as prime minister again, but any attempt to reinstate him would deprive him of legitimacy. "If Samak decides to return, the political conflict will worsen, and society will see a more serious rift," she said. Prasart Meetaem of Prince of Songkhla University's Hat Yai campus said with the court ruling, Samak was no longer qualified to assume the PM's post.

Thai Tapioca Trade Association president Niyom Chulaserekul said it would be fine if Samak were reinstated just to dissolve the House.

Anusit Phuwaset, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce's northern chapter, said by reinstating Samak, the MPs from the coalition parties would show they did not care about people's feelings. He also warned of violent clashes between supporters and detractors.