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PM urges 'uneasy' parties to quit coalition


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POLITICS

 

PM urges 'uneasy' parties to quit coalition

 

By Piyanart Srivalo,

Khanittha Thepkhajorn

 

The Nation

Published on October 20, 2010

 

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that his coalition government would be able to survive without Bhum Jai Thai Party, adding that anybody feeling "uneasy" about working with the ruling Democrat Party could leave any time.

 

"If they feel uneasy, I can leave them out. I don't like it when people have to work together unhappily," he said, when asked to comment on reports that Bhum Jai Thai was growing uneasy in the Democrat-led coalition.

 

Observers have been saying that Puea Pandin Party, which was booted out of the coalition after the censure debate in June, could replace Bhum Jai Thai.

 

However, Abhisit said Bhum Jai Thai leader and Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul had told him at yesterday's Cabinet meeting that his party was not feeling uneasy. When told by reporters that it was Chaovarat's son and key Bhum Jai Thai figure, Anutin, who had reportedly expressed his uneasiness, Abhisit asked for the report to be confirmed.

 

At the Cabinet meeting, the premier also jokingly asked Bhum Jai Thai spokesman and deputy government spokesman Supachai Jaisamut: "Are you a news source or a deputy spokesman?"

A source quoted Supachai as responding sheepishly: "Deputy spokesman, sir."

 

Meanwhile, House Speaker Chai Chidchob insisted yesterday that he would keep holding his post despite rumours of attempts being made to force him out.

 

"According to the Constitution, the House of Representatives speaker only leaves his office when he dies, resigns or gets imprisoned," Chai said.

 

He also dismissed as groundless claims that he had offered to step down voluntarily once the ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the new Parliament complex was completed in August.

"When did I say that and to whom?" he asked.

 

Chai, who is also Parliament president, is a member of the coalition partner Bhum Jai Thai Party, which has his son Newin as de-facto leader. Speculation of the House speaker being replaced came after reports of there being growing problems between Bhum Jai Thai and the ruling Democrat Party.

 

Also yesterday, Chai rejected speculation that senior Democrat figure Banyat Bantadtan was likely to succeed him as House speaker. He said that Banyat had already lost to him when the lower House voted to select the House speaker almost three years ago.

 

"To get a new House speaker, we must follow the legal process. I don't think that when there is a situation like the current one, a good person like me will be booted out," he said with a laugh, adding that the public would be the judge about his performance.

 

Meanwhile, Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong said yesterday that the ruling party had no plans to reshuffle positions allocated under the Bhum Jai Thai quota.

 

He was reacting to widespread rumours that the House speaker would lose his job, and that Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul would be replaced by Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.

 

"The Democrats will uphold the coalition alliance, and the position of House speaker remains beyond reproach," he said.

 

He also denied that certain Democrat MPs from the North were lobbying for a reallocation of Cabinet seats. "MPs from the North regularly meet for dinner, but ministerial appointment has never been a topic of discussion," he said.

 

Senior Democrat Tirdpong Jayanandana confirmed that Democrat MPs from the North were not demanding a new line-up.

 

Bhum Jai Thai Party spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said he had no comments about Suthep replacing Chaovarat, suggesting that reporters check with the Democrat Party instead.

 

Supachai said his party would not play the game of speculation about the government line-up, but said he was confident his party would not be booted out of the coalition.

 

Transport Minister Sophon Saram, meanwhile, pleaded for understanding that his party had fallen prey to a smear campaign. He said Bhum Jai Thai's reputation was being tarnished by corruption allegations, which were not backed up by evidence.

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NACC

 

Chavarat, Newin's brother face NACC probe

 

By xxxxx

Published on October 20, 2010

 

Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul and two other high-profile figures have been included in a National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) investigation over their involvement in an expensive computer purchase deal, according to a report on the website of Thai-language Matichon newspaper.

 

The two others are Saksiam Chidchob, a brother of key government ally and de-facto Bhum Jai Thai Party leader Newin, while the other is out-of-favour candidate for the post of permanent secretary, Mongkhol Surasajja, the report said, citing an NACC source.

 

The NACC has taken over the computer project case from the Department of Special Investigation, which has indicted the three and other high-ranking ministry officials. The Bt3.49-billion project is part of a ministry project to issue electronic identity cards.

 

Meanwhile, the Cabinet yesterday appointed Wichian Chavalit as the new permanent secretary of the Interior Ministry while retracting its resolution promoting Mongkol to the post.

 

Mongkol will continue as director-general of the Provincial Administration Department.

 

The Interior Ministry had nominated Mongkol as its next permanent secretary, but he became embroiled in a graft investigation into the department's computer project.

 

The Cabinet later reviewed its decision to install Mongkol as the ministry's top permanent official.

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