Cabinet meets without spokesperson

 Last week, former deputy government spokesman Nahathai Thewphaingarm was named as the favourite contender for the job, and was approached by former House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat. He played a crucial role in setting up Somchai Wongsawat's government.

 Even though Nahathai was not that keen, she found it hard to turn down the offer.

 She showed up at the Cabinet's first meeting last Friday in Don Mueang, the temporary government office, even though she reportedly did not want to be there because she had not yet been officially appointed. But a phoo yai had told her to be there.

 She did not actually sit in on the Cabinet meeting, but met other deputy spokesmen and greeted government reporters.

 Paths leading to the job seemed to be strewn with roses for her. Even Somchai hinted that his spokesman had a "beautiful" face. But then all her chances were shot down when former deputy government spokesman Natthawut Sai-kua told the first lady, Yaowapa, that he wanted the job for himself.

 Nahathai backed off immediately, saying she did not want a post in the government but was willing to help in any other way.

 The Cabinet met yesterday without a government spokesman, because Somchai has not been able to end the rift between his wife and Yongyuth, one of the most powerful people in the People Power Party.

Similarities between Samak

With the prime minister being booed in public places like Thammasat University, Siam Paragon and even in his hometown Nakhon Si Thammarat, people can help but be reminded of his predecessor Samak Sundaravej. Being seen as deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's nominee and facing a score of legal cases are the other things they have in common.

 Before taking over as PM, Samak was appealing the defamation case filed by former deputy Bangkok governor Samart Ratchapolsitte and was involved in the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's fire-truck scandal.

 Similarly, the Assets Examination Committee has added Somchai to the list of people allegedly involved in the CTX bomb-scanner scandal.

 Senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana filed cases questioning Samak's right to host TV shows, which led to the PM's disqualification.

 Now Ruangkrai is accusing Somchai of failing to include a house in his assets declared to the National Counter-Corruption Commission. Somchai also faces charges for failing to report shares in a company that had been given state concessions.

 Activist Weera Somkwamkid yesterday announced that he would file a police complaint against Somchai for allegedly trying to bribe Constitution Court judges in the assets concealment case against Thaksin. Somchai was then permanent-secretary of justice.

 When Samak visited the Royal Thai Navy's base in Sattahip, People's Alliance for Democracy protesters gathered to boo him. Even after stepping down, Samak had to face booing by PAD protesters, all armed with clappers, when he was on vacation in Koh Chang.