Coalition partners to stick together to form new govt

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was taking a break during the Cabinet meeting in the Provincial Hall of Chiang Mai when the Constitution Court read out a verdict that disqualified him as prime minister and banned him along with 36 other People Power Party (PPP) executives from politics for five years.

The Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties received a similar fate.

But Natthawut Saikua, the government spokesman, said members of the coalition government came over to Somchai to console him and pledge their allegiance without switching sides.

As a result of the landmark Constitution Court rulings, the PPP side now has 218 MPs left from its previous 232. These MPs will have to seek membership in new parties because the PPP no longer exists.

Chart Thai now has 19 MPs, having lost 15 as a result of the ruling.

Matchima Thipataya will continue to have 11 MPs because none of them serves as a party executive.

As a result of the rulings, the coalition government will have 282 MPs left in Parliament - including those from the three coalition parties not involved in the election-fraud trials - compared with 165 MPs for the Democrat Party.

Numerically speaking, it is impossible for the Democrats to form a new coalition government.

Somchai did not show up at the annual military parade and Trooping of the Colour yesterday at the Royal Plaza, organised by the armed forces and presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen.

Upon leaving Provincial Hall for his Green Valley Estate home in Amphur Mae Rim, Somchai kept his cool and wore a smile on his face.

"I have finished my duty. There is no problem. The remaining people holding office will have to continue their jobs. I have not done anything to serve my own interests," he said.

Chaovarat Chanweerakul, a deputy prime minister, has become acting prime minister. A total of 15 Cabinet members have lost their jobs following the Constitution Court rulings.

But the remaining, non-disqualified Cabinet members will continue to serve on a caretaker basis, awaiting a parliamentary vote for a new prime minister - after which a new government will be formed.

Parliament must vote on a new premier within 30 days.

Outspoken politician Chalerm Yoobamrung is tipped to become the next prime minister under the new Puea Thai Party banner. Also in the running are Mingkwan Sangsuwan and Deputy House Speaker Apiwan Wiriyachai.

"Chalerm's character is suited to the current situation. He is loyal, tough and uncompromising," a source from the now-defunct PPP said.

Meanwhile, the Democrats are also jockeying to become the core of a new administration.

Suthep Thaugsuban, party secretary-general, said a special-format government should be formed, in which an elected prime minister picks people from different fields to join the Cabinet.

Under the proposal, the new PM would first be voted in by Parliament.

He would then invite non-MPs to join the Cabinet, who could be representatives from the civic and business sectors, as well as government officials and the military.