Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej speaks to government officers at the city hall in Udon Thani province, about 580 km (360 miles) east of Bangkok September 9, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BANGKOK, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's People Power Party (PPP) on Wednesday started seeking supports from various parties in the former ruling alliance, after its leader and former prime minister was forced out of office by a court ruling on Tuesday.

    On Wednesday morning, deputy leader of PPP Somchai Wongsawat and secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee hold a meeting with Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa, officially inviting the later to join the ruling alliance led by PPP again.

    The meeting came a day after Samak Sundaravej was disqualified from the premiership at the order of the Constitution Court.

    Somchai, now the caretaker premier, and Surapong were expected to discuss about new prime minister who will be voted in the parliament on Friday. Both were also expected to confirm that Chart Thai is still a coalition party in the government.

    Banharn told reporters that new prime minister should be more compromising to solve the country's ongoing problems. This character is necessary at this moment because the country is now in deadlock, he said.

    Asked if Samak is renominated to be prime minister, Banharn said "let's see when that time came."

    It is impossible that his party will switch to join Democrat Party, now the opposition, to form new government, Banharn said.

    He declined to say whether his party will support Samak to be prime minister. His party will meet on Thursday to discuss the matter.

    Banharn said it seemed to be not possible that PPP will ask him to be new prime minister because it has many candidates in the party.

    Meanwhile, the Pracharaj Party -- another co-ruling party of the PPP, said on Wednesday that it will not break ranks with the coalition alliance led by the PPP although it has yet to finalize its decision whether to support the reinstatement of Samak Sundaravej as prime minister.

    Caretaker Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong said that her husband and party leader Snoh Thienthong would have the final say on the fate of Samak.

    As to the Puea Pandin Party, the third biggest party in the alliance, also expressed its support to the PPP.

    The Constitution Court of Thailand on Tuesday ruled the Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak Sundaravej violates the charter by hosting cooking shows on TV programs after he took the premiership in January. Samak lost his premier on the same day and the caretaker cabinet is obliged to elect a new prime minister within 30 days.

    The House is expected to cast votes and complete the naming of the next prime minister by noon on Friday.

Thai opposition leader suggests to form "national government"

    BANGKOK, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the Democrat Party, the only opposition party in the Parliament, suggested on Wednesday to form a "national government" to solve the country's political crisis.

    Meanwhile, he said that he is ready to perform as the Prime Minister to lead the special government if his name is nominated at the House meeting on Friday. Full story

Thai PM convicted by constitution court, losing premiership

    BANGKOK, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Constitution Court of Thailand on Tuesday ruled the Prime Minister and Defense Minister Samak Sundaravej violates the charter by hosting cooking shows on TV programs after he took the premiership in January. The ruling means Samak's premiership is revoked.

    The court voted unanimously to give a guilty verdict against Samak and disqualified him as the prime minister. Full story

Thai PM testifies to Constitution Court

    BANGKOK, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Monday morning testified to the Constitution Court to defend himself regarding his hosting of a television cooking program, for which he is accused of violating the Constitution.

    Samak had hosted television cooking shows on a commercial television station in the past and continued after taking office in February this year.  Full story