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Court Boots Thai PM Over Cooking Show

Posted Sep 9, 08 6:19 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – Thailand's supreme court has ruled that the prime minister and his government must resign, declaring that his participation in a TV cooking show violated the constitution. The unanimous ruling comes as opponents of Samak Sundaravej continue to occupy Government House in Bangkok, reports the AP. While Samak may seek a new mandate, he might use the court's ruling to make a graceful exit from the political crisis that has gripped Thailand for months.

Samak hosted a cooking show for 7 years before becoming Thailand's leader. But he also made appearances on the show after his election, for which he received compensation—violating the constitution's prohibition on private employment for ministers. A party deputy insisted that "Samak still has legitimacy. The party still hopes to vote him back unless he says no."

Sources Associated Press, BBC

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Anti-government protesters cheer outside Government House in Bangkok, on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 after Thailand's Constitutional Court has ruled that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej must resign.   (AP Photo)
An anti-government demonstrator at Government House in Bangkok, Thailand, shouts with joy as she and others learn Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is forced to resign.   (AP Photo/David Longstreath)
Thailand's supreme court has ruled that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej violated the constitution by appearing on a television cooking show.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
Thailand's supreme court has ruled that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej violated the constitution by appearing on a television cooking show.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
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Thailand • Bangkok • constitution • cooking • People's Alliance for Democracy • constitutionality • Samak Sundaravej • television personality


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