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BANGKOK: Thailand’s opposition questioned premier Samak
Sundaravej’s loyalty to the revered monarchy on Wednesday, a
serious charge that lit new sparks in a no-confidence debate on his
government.
Samak took power after December elections that
ended more than a year of rule by royalist generals who toppled
former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006.
The military had accused Thaksin of widespread
corruption and of disrespecting King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is
revered with an almost religious devotion.
Thaksin tapped Samak to rally his supporters in
elections in part because of his family’s long-standing ties to
the palace and Samak’s own history of supporting the monarchy.
But a junior minister in his four-month-old
government was forced to resign in May, after giving a speech last
year that questioned the role of monarchy in Thailand’s democracy.
Any discussion of the monarchy’s role in
Thailand’s political life can be prosecuted under a strict lese
maj-este law, which allows sentences of up to 15 years in prison.
“The monarchy has been insulted as never
before without any attempt from government to protect the
institution,” said Nipit Intarasombut, an MP from the opposition
Democrat Party, referring to the junior minister’s speech.
Samak responded by noting that his family has
served in the palace for generations, and that he has several royal
decorations.
“Don’t question me on my royalty,” Samak
said.
The premier said he had told police to
investigate the speech made by Jakrapob Penkair, who implied that
the palace had a role in the coup against Thaksin.
“Jakrapob quit because police found that the
allegation was substantial,” Samak said.
The exchange drew further barbs, with another
Democrat MP, Malinee Sukavechvorakit, accusing Samak of being
mentally unfit for office.
“The prime minister should take a rest and get
some treatment,” she said.
The censure debate, which lasted until midnight
on Tuesday, is scheduled to wrap up later Wednesday. A no-confidence
vote is scheduled for Thursday, but could be postponed if the debate
runs long.
Samak has vowed to step down if he loses the
vote, but that appears unlikely as his six-party coalition controls
about two-thirds of the 480 seats in the lower house.
Outside parliament, the prime minister still
faces street protests by the so-called People’s Alliance for
Democracy, which has camped outside Samak’s offices since Friday.
-- AFP
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