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"Samak said the decision now depended on the House. If MPs think he is appropriate and vote for him, he is ready and happy to accept the post," said Suthin Klangsang, a deputy spokesman for the People Power Party (PPP).

The PPP yesterday passed a resolution to renominate Samak to the prime minister's post despite strong objections from protesters and PPP coalition partners.

"We are unanimous that Samak is the leader of our party so he is the best choice," PPP spokesman Kudeb Saikrajang said.

The Constitution Court on Tuesday disqualified Samak from the premiership for violating the Constitution. Parliament is scheduled to convene today to select the occupant for the top position.

"We well respect the concerns of academics and society for the country but today we are fighting against a new political cult which intends to destroy democracy, so our leader will stand firm to fight for the principle," Kudeb said.

The party assigned banned PPP executive Yongyuth Tiyapairat, caretaker transport minister Santi Prompat, caretaker deputy transport minister Songsak Thongsri, banned Thai Rak Thai executive Chaturon Chaisang and Suthin to inform Samak of the decision.

Suthin said they told Samak that they supported him and expressed some concern that the situation may worsen for him but Samak was not worried.

"However, we also told Samak that if he comes back he needs to plan to solve the crisis," Suthin said.

Suthin also predicted that the turmoil would persist because the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) would not accept any prime minister nominated by his party. The PPP did not nominate any alternative candidate.

All party MPs need to vote in unity after Samak accepted the nomination, Suthin said. Asked if they had discussed with Samak his defamation lawsuit, on which the Appeals Court is due to rule on September 25, Suthin said Samak was confident in the justice system.

"On concerns that Samak might be bullied or removed from politics, he urged society to live and learn together with him," Suthin said.

Suthin admitted that there had been a direct call from London with advice on who should be prime minister. The party would heed the London advice as coming from a concerned citizen, but not a decisive voice, he said.

Kudeb said Thammasat University dean Suraphol Nitikraipot, who wrote an article criticising the PPP resolution to support Samak, should look at the doctrine of the rule of law to examine what went wrong with the justice system.

"We never expected that the Constitution Court would interpret the law straight from the text by using a definition in the dictionary to pin down Samak," he said.

"It's not a slap in the court's face. We do respect the ruling but as long as the Constitution allows us, we can bring the same person back.

"Look at what the PAD has done, staying over in Government House despite a court order. Is that a big slap to the court? I have never heard any criticism from any academic on the PAD's behaviour.

"Khun Samak did nothing immoral - it is merely a legal technicality."