PPP now backs Somchai

Key figures in the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed yesterday to support deputy leader Somchai Wongsawat as its candidate for prime minister, a high-ranking party source said.

The decision was reached at yesterday's meeting of senior party figures. They agreed Somchai was the best choice. He is viewed as "most trustworthy".

The party seniors agreed the "three Ss" - Somchai, Sompong Amornwiwat and Surapong Suebwonglee - would inevitably face opposition from government opponents, particularly the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). So, it is sensible to opt for "the best bet", according to the source.

A new prime minister from the PPP will mainly ensure passage of the 2009 Budget Bill, before dissolving the House of Representatives.

People Power executive members are scheduled to meet today to discuss the party's candidates for the post. A meeting later in the day would come up with the nominee, Sompong said yesterday.

Somchai, a brother-in-law of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has emerged as a key candidate after PPP leader Samak Sundaravej dropped his bid to become PM again. Samak was disqualified by court order last week.

If the bid to push Somchai fails, party seniors will instead support Sompong, another deputy party leader, the source said.

The PPP yesterday informed its coalition partners about the support for Somchai.

The PPP seniors discussed a new Cabinet line-up. It was agreed the current quotas would be retained, although there might be changes of office holders if factions requested, the source said. Technocrat appointees are viewed as "unnecessary", as the new government will be short-lived.

Chamlong Srimuang, a PAD leader, said yesterday it was opposed to any PPP nomination, adding the ruling party "committed several mistakes" while in power.

The anti-government group has occupied Government House since late last month.

The PPP's Isaan Pattana faction will back both Somchai and Sompong, with weight slanting to Somchai. Due to his close connection to Thaksin, he is likely to have better control of the party than Sompong, a faction source said yesterday.

If Somchai's nomination faces public resistance, then the faction will nominate Sompong instead.

Meanwhile, Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban believed Somchai was the most suitable because Sompong as Justice Minister had transferred the director-general of the Department of Special Investigation on orders from Thaksin.

"Although Somchai is Thaksin's brother in-law, he so far has not shown any hint of being his nominee,'' he said.

Snoh Thienthong, leader of the coalition Pracharaj Party, yesterday voiced support for Somchai, saying he believed Somchai would be able to work with the opposition Democrat Party.

Earlier, the smaller coalition parties backed PPP deputy leader Sompong as the new prime minister. He has the least connection to Thaksin, they said.

Chart Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa, Pracharaj leader Snoh, Puea Pandin leader Suwit Khunkitti met at the house of Suwat Liptapanlop, a former executive of the Thai Rak Thai.