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71-537: The Thai Citizen Party was founded in 1978 by Samak Sundaravej who had been the main representative of the Democrat Party 's right wing until then. It was officially registered in 1979 when a new constitution lifted the ban of all political parties. Samak had been known as a firebrand right-wing and ultra-royalist orator during the mid-1970s and served as minister of interior under Thanin Kraivichien after

142-455: A censure motion of no-confidence against Samak Sundaravej and 7 cabinet ministers in the parliament, to oust his coalition government. The marathon debate was held on 28 June. Amid 4 months in power and public street protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), Samak and all 7 cabinet members survived the no-confidence motion. The 3 days of censure debate were finally terminated by

213-563: A coup in 1933. The longest-serving prime minister was Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram at 14 years, 11 months, and 18 days. The shortest was Thawi Bunyaket at just 18 days. Nine were removed by coups d'état , three were disqualified by court order, and eleven resigned from office. The youngest ever to occupy office was M.R. Seni Pramoj at 40 years old. Thailand received its first female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra , in 2011. Every prime minister since Manopakorn Nititada has been Buddhist. The current 2017 constitution states that

284-425: A caretaker government and continuing their functions until the new Council of Ministers is sworn in. Karn Tienkaew, deputy leader of Samak's People's Power Party , said it planned to propose a parliamentary vote Wednesday on returning Samak to power: "Samak still has legitimacy. The party still hopes to vote him back unless he says no. Otherwise we have many other capable candidates." On 10 September 2008, however,

355-562: A cooking show called Tasting, Ranting on the Thailand ITV television network and on Royal Thai Army Radio and Television. He said when he became prime minister that he would resume his career as a TV chef and did so, though warned not to. It is illegal for a government minister to hold any other paying job, and on 9 September 2008, the full bench of the Constitutional Court ruled it was unconstitutional for him to work for

426-643: A decision disqualifying Sundaravej from the premiership in accordance with the complaints lodged by the Senators and the Election Commission of Thailand . However, Samak's People's Power Party vowed to vote him back to the premiership, and he did not decline this nomination for prime minister as Kuthep Suthin Klangsang, PPP's deputy spokesman, said in a press release on 12 September: "Samak has accepted his nomination for prime minister. Samak said he

497-595: A majority of the Bangkok middle-class electorate. However it was provided with positions in Suchinda Kraprayoon 's pro-military cabinet that was confronted with civic mass protests during " Black May ". After the government's resignation, fresh elections in September 1992 brought the party's utter defeat, as it was associated by the urban middle class with the old government's attempt to violently suppress

568-615: A military command post. Riot police entered the occupied compound and delivered a court order for the eviction of protesters. Chamlong Srimuang ordered 45 PAD guards to break into the main government building on Saturday. 3 regional airports remain closed and 35 trains between Bangkok and the provinces were cancelled. Protesters raided the Phuket International Airport tarmac on the resort island of Phuket Province resulting in 118 flights cancelled or diverted, affecting 15,000 passengers. Protesters also blocked

639-678: A nominee. The majority of his party and the coalition partners eventually voted for Somchai Wongsawat , Deputy Prime Minister, to be the new premier. On 29 July 2007, some former members of the Thai Rak Thai Party MPs agreed to contest the 2007 election as candidates of the People's Power Party. This was after the Thai Rak Thai Party was dissolved by the Thai Supreme Court on 30 May 2007 and followed

710-477: A political crisis buffeting the country. Leaders of the People Power Party had said since Tuesday that they would seek to restore Samak, but they need to convince five other parties in the coalition to go along with that choice. Some lawmakers have indicated they will propose an alternate candidate. At age 73, Samak admitted he had liver cancer and underwent laser surgery to remove a tumour and

781-531: A private company (Thailand ITV) and therefore disqualified him from office. Samak was married to Khunying Surat Sundaravej, a financial adviser to the Charoen Pokphand Group . They had two children. In 1968, Samak joined the opposition Democrat Party . Having strong ties to the military, Samak became head of the party's right-wing faction. In the 1976 general election, he defeated M. R. Kukrit Pramoj and became Deputy Interior Minister in

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852-643: A proxy for the exiled Thaksin, resulting in massive street protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy. He was convicted of libel on an old charge and was sentenced to two years in jail, though the sentence was suspended pending appeal. On 25 September 2008, the Appeals Court upheld the two-year jail sentence. Samak jumped bail and left for the United States to receive cancer treatment. The Democrat Party, led by Sathit Wongnongtoei, on 18 June 2008 submitted to Deputy House Speaker Somsak Kiartsuranan

923-443: A reputation for honesty. Samak immediately launched a campaign that caused the arrest of hundreds of alleged leftists, including many writers and other intellectuals. In 1979, Samak founded the right-wing Thai Citizens' Party . In the 1979 General Elections, it defeated the incumbent Democrat Party by winning 29 of the 39 seats in Bangkok. In the 1983 General Elections, it extended its base to 36 seats, and did not suffer greatly from

994-428: A very significant role in an otherwise absolutist system. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn , Prince Damrong Rajanubhab took over this role. In fact, the office most considered the precursor of that of the prime minister was the ancient office of Samuha Nayok (สมุหนายก), which was run by an Akkhra Maha Senabodi (อัครมหาเสนาบดี) or "chief minister in charge of civilian affairs". The first prime minister of Siam

1065-522: A view to sharing profits or incomes or being an employee of any person. However, Samak, who acknowledged the purpose of Section 267, continued to work for the Face Media Co., Ltd. as emcee of two cookery shows, Chim Pai Bon Pai (Tasting and Grumbling) and Yok Khayong Hok Mong Chao (All Set at 6 am), and ceased from such works just when the ECT received a complaint concerning the case. Therefore,

1136-522: Is apparently supported by Samak's claim during a cabinet meeting that the King had not opposed Thanom's return. On 5 October, Samak was removed from his ministerial position, and in reaction organised an anti-government demonstration calling for the dismissal of three liberal Democrat ministers he branded as "communists". He was prominent in the events leading to the 6 October 1976 massacre at Thammasat University , in which leftist students protesting against

1207-564: Is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and that he is happy to accept the post. A majority of party members voted Thursday to reappoint Samak. Samak is the leader of our party so he is the best choice." Despite objections from its coalition partners, the PPP, in an urgent meeting, unanimously decided to renominate Samak Sundaravej. Five coalition parties, namely Chart Thai , Neutral Democratic , Pracharaj , Puea Pandin and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana , unanimously agreed to support

1278-430: Is happy to accept the post. A majority of party members voted Thursday to reappoint Samak. Samak is the leader of our party so he is the best choice." Despite objections from its coalition partners, the PPP, in an urgent meeting, unanimously decided to renominate Samak Sundaravej. 5 coalition parties, namely Chart Thai , Matchima Thipataya, Pracharaj, Puea Pandin and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, unanimously agreed to support

1349-621: Is the head of government of Thailand . The prime minister is also the chair of the cabinet of Thailand . The post has existed since the Siamese Revolution of 1932 , when the country became a constitutional monarchy . Prior to the 2014 coup d'état , the prime minister was nominated by a vote in the Thai House of Representatives by a simple majority, and is then appointed and sworn in by the King of Thailand . The house's selection

1420-497: Is the duty of the president of the National Assembly of Thailand to submit the name considered most worthy for the king to formalize. The nominee and eventual prime minister is always the leader of the largest political party in the lower house or the leader of the majority coalition formed after an election. Under the junta, until 2019, the nominee for the office was selected by National Legislative Assembly , with

1491-471: Is usually based on the fact that either the prime minister is the leader of the largest political party in the lower house or the leader of the largest coalition of parties. In accordance with the 2017 Constitution, the Prime Minister can hold the office for no longer than eight years, consecutively or not. The current prime minister is Paetongtarn Shinawatra , who took office on 16th August 2024 after

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1562-600: The 1986 election , the TCP lost 12 seats (most of them went to the reinvigorated Democrats) and went into opposition. In the 1988 snap election, the party recovered 31 of now 357 seats. It was included in Chatichai Choonhavan 's government coalition from 1990 to 1991. In the March 1992 election , TCP lost most of its seats, dropping to 7 of 360, faced with the competition of the new Palang Dharma Party which attracted

1633-574: The Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) submitted a similar complaint 29 July 2008. The complaints requested the ConCourt to decide whether the premiership of Samak Sundaravej is terminated upon Section 91, Section 182 Paragraph One (7) and Section 267 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2007) . On 9 September 2008, 15.30 hours, the ConCourt with Justice Chat Chonlaworn sitting as

1704-620: The Government House of Thailand ( ทำเนียบรัฐบาล ) in the Dusit area of Bangkok . The official residence of the prime minister is the Phitsanulok Mansion ( บ้านพิษณุโลก ), in the center of Bangkok. The mansion was built during the reign of King Vajiravudh . It became an official residence in 1979. The mansion is rumored to have many ghosts, therefore most prime ministers live in their private residences and only use

1775-539: The Thammasat University massacre of 1976 until 1977. With the TCP, Samak created a competition for the Democrat Party in its traditional stronghold Bangkok. The party failed, however, to extend its appeal to constituencies outside the capital. TCP was launched with a rally at Sanam Luang to a huge crowd on Friday, March 9, 1979, the same day as the party's founding. At that time, the party uses

1846-405: The 5 parties who the PPP nominates to take office again. Some lawmakers, however, said they will propose an alternate candidate. Meanwhile, Thailand's army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said he backed the creation of a unity government that would include all the country's parties, and he also asked for the lifting of a state of emergency that Samak imposed on 2 September. The legal reasoning of

1917-514: The 5 parties who the PPP nominates to take office again. Some lawmakers, then said that they would propose an alternate candidate. Meanwhile, Thailand's army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda said he backed the creation of a unity government that would include all the country's parties, and he also asked for the lifting of a state of emergency that Samak imposed on 2 September. Embattled Samak abandoned his bid to regain his Thailand Prime Minister post, and Teerapon Noprampa said Samak would also give up

1988-423: The 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple. The Opposition filed a petition with deputy Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanit to impeach Noppadon Pattama over Preah Vihear Temple issue. Sathit Wongnongtoei submitted 141 signatures of MPs. Noppadon was accused of violating Article 190 and 270 of the Constitution. The Opposition filed the motion before Noppadon stepped down. Although the campaigns demanding Samak resign from

2059-400: The ConCourt to make a decision as said. 3. Samak, after having received a quo warranto , represented to the accusation through submitting the letters dated 30 June 14 and 25 August 2008 to the ConCourt, stated that: 4. The Constitutional Court considered that: 5. Therefore, the ConCourt, by the unanimous resolution, held that Samak has performed the acts in breach of Section 267 of

2130-403: The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2007) which individually led to the termination of his premiership in accordance with Section 182 Paragraph One (7) of which, and called forth the vacating from office of the entire Council of Ministers under Section 180 Paragraph One (1). However, as the premiership has individually been terminated, all Ministers other than Samak could remain in office as

2201-578: The Democrat Party. He was endorsed as prime minister by the king on the next day. On 6 February, his Cabinet, including himself as Minister of Defense, was endorsed by the king and sworn in. Samak angrily insisted he was the country's real leader on 29 February 2008 despite the triumphant return from exile of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra , the man considered the driving force behind the new government. Samak Sundaravej ended his campaign to regain his position on 12 September 2008. Mr Samak's decision

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2272-597: The Democrat surge in 1986. In 1992, as Deputy Prime Minister in the military-appointed Suchinda administration, Samak justified the military's brutal suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators by declaring the government had the right to do so as long as the United States could send its troops to kill people in other countries, referring to the Gulf War which defeated Saddam Hussein's Iraq in 1991. He remained unrepentant and continued to stand by his justification, stating

2343-507: The House of Representatives having been abolished. Under the constitution written by the junta, the prime minister is currently appointed by the full National Assembly , including the military-appointed Senate . The prime minister is the de facto chair of the Cabinet of Thailand . The appointment and removal of ministers can only be made with their advice. As the leader of the government,

2414-770: The Office of the Civil Service Commission, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board , the Office of Public Sector Development Commission, and the Internal Security Operations Command . Legislatively all money bills introduced in the National Assembly must require the prime minister's approval. The prime minister can be removed by a vote of no confidence . This process can be evoked, firstly with

2485-463: The PPP shied away from their earlier statement they would renominate Samak and was apparently looking for an alternative candidate instead; with the new PM then scheduled to have bern nominated on 12 September 2008. People Power Party 's deputy spokesman Kuthep Suthin Klangsang, on 12 September 2008, announced that: "Samak has accepted his nomination for prime minister. Samak said he is confident that parliament will find him fit for office, and that he

2556-469: The People Power party (PPP) to set up the new government and vote for the person who should be nominated as the new prime minister. Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro said the next prime minister who will be nominated on Friday. Caretaker prime minister Somchai Wongsawat said PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee will notify

2627-405: The People Power party (PPP) to set up the new government and vote for the person who should be nominated as the new prime minister. Chart Thai deputy leader Somsak Prissananantakul and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro said the next prime minister who will be nominated on Friday. Caretaker prime minister Somchai Wongsawat said PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee will notify

2698-508: The President rendered its decision as follows: 1. The essence of the first complaint (Senators' Complaint) could be summarised as follows: as Samak was a holder of the political position as a prime minister, he was under the subject of Section 267 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2007) prohibiting the Prime Minister and Ministers from having any position in a partnership, a company or an organisation carrying out business with

2769-406: The Prime Minister shall hold the office for no longer than eight years, consecutively or not. The term limit was the subject of legal challenge in 2022 after there were debates of how to count the term. The Constitutional Court ruled 6–3 that the term would be counted from the promulgation of the 2017 constitution, so that Prayut Chan-o-cha was allowed to continue his premiership despite having held

2840-463: The Senators exercised their right under Section 91 requesting the President of the Senate to submit their complaint to the ConCourt to make a decision as said. 2. The essence of the second complaint (ECT's Complaint) could be summarised as follows: On 17 April 2008, Senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana lodged with the ECT a complaint that Samak, pending his premiership, worked for Face Media Co., Ltd. which

2911-572: The Thai Party ruling coalition called urgent parliamentary debate and session for 31 August. On 2 September 2008, following the clashes between the pro and anti-government protesters which led to at least one pro government protesters death, Sundaravej declared a controversial state of emergency . The state of emergency was lifted on 14 September 2008. On 9 September of the year, the Constitutional Court of Thailand delivered

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2982-614: The ban on participating in politics for many former TRT party politicians, such as Newin Chidchob, Buriram and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra . Many other former TRT members have also formed their own parties, such as the Ruam Jai Thai and Puea Pandin parties. Samak Sundaravej and former TRT Cabinet Minister Surapong Suebwonglee were elected People's Power Party leader and secretary general respectively on 24 August 2007. It was, also, widely known that Thaksin chose him to be

3053-414: The cabinet of M. R. Seni Pramoj . He quickly became prominent for arresting several allegedly leftist activists. In late August 1976, Seni sent Samak to Singapore to try to persuade Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn not to return to Thailand. However, writer Paul M. Handley claims Samak was a close confidant of Queen Sirikit and was told to guarantee royal support for the exiled Field Marshal. This

3124-726: The constitution, lead the cabinet in announcing the government's policy statement in front of a joint session of the National Assembly, within fifteen days of being sworn in. The prime minister is also directly responsible for many departments. These include the National Intelligence Agency, the Bureau of the Budget, the Office of the National Security Council, the Office of the Council of State,

3195-594: The decision was also discussed in a Harvard Law School dissertation a full copy of which is available to the public . On 12 September 2008, however, the Isan faction of People Power Party (PPP) and the coalition parties boycotted the vote on a new prime minister, resulting in a lack of quorum and subsequent postponement of the vote. The boycott was a sign of the depth of ill-feeling towards Samak from both his own party's members and coalition parties. Finally, Samak gave up his re-election bid, allowing his party to choose new

3266-463: The entrance of the airports in Krabi and Hat Yai (which was later re-opened). Police issued arrest warrants for Sondhi Limthongkul and 8 other protest leaders on charges of insurrection , conspiracy , unlawful assembly and refusing orders to disperse. Meanwhile, Gen Anupong Paochinda stated: "The army will not stage a coup. The political crisis should be resolved by political means." Samak and

3337-539: The idea of a separate head of government in Thailand is not new. Prior to 1932, Thailand was ruled by absolute monarchs , who acted as both the head of state and the government. However, during the middle and latter reigns of the Chakri Dynasty , several individuals were perceived to hold a post equivalent to a head of government . During the reign of King Mongkut , Somdet Chao Phraya Si Suriyawongse had

3408-401: The late 18th century. Samak studied at Saint Gabriel's College and Assumption Commercial College, then graduated from Faculty of Law, Thammasat University . He also received diplomas from Chulalongkorn University and Bryant & Stratton College . Besides being a politician, Samak was a well-known television chef. For seven years before the military coup of September 2006, he had hosted

3479-427: The members of the House of Representatives. Then after a simple majority vote in the house, a resolution will be passed and submitted to the king, who will then make a formal appointment by giving his royal assent to the resolution. This must take place within thirty days after the beginning of the first session of the House of Representatives after an election. If no candidate can be found within this time period, then it

3550-434: The military was merely trying to restore law and order after the pro-democracy demonstrators, whom he branded as "troublemakers", had resorted to "mob rule". From 2001 to 2006, Thai Rak Thai was the ruling party under Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, its founder. In 2006 the military staged a bloodless coup to remove Thaksin, who was then acting as interim prime minister between elections, from power. His Thai Rak Thai party

3621-485: The new head of his former party's members. On 23 December 2007 General Election the PPP won 228 seats, sufficient to win the election ahead of the Democrat Party but short of the 241 seats needed for a majority of the 480-seat house. He was able to form a six-party coalition, however, gaining a parliamentary majority of about two-thirds. In a parliamentary vote on 28 January 2008, Samak was elected prime minister, receiving 310 votes against 163 for Abhisit Vejjejava of

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3692-536: The party. The Constitutional Court was invoked and decided that MPs were allowed to keep their seats and to join another party after being expelled from their original party. In 2001, TCP founder and long-term leader Samak abandoned his party after he had been elected Governor of Bangkok on a nonpartisan platform. Samak Sundaravej Samak Sundaravej ( Thai : สมัคร สุนทรเวช , RTGS :  Samak Sunthorawet , pronounced [sā.màk sǔn.tʰɔ̄.rā.wêːt] ; 13 June 1935 – 24 November 2009)

3763-436: The popular uprising. It dropped to only 3 seats. It could recover a little, winning 18 of 55 seats in Bangkok's city assembly in 1994. One year later it also regained some strength on the national level, winning 18 out of a total of 391 seats, mostly due to the rival Palang Dharma Party's loss of popularity in Bangkok. It joined Banharn Silpa-archa 's coalition government. In the snap poll of 1996 , its number of seats remained

3834-414: The position since the 2014 coup. According to the 2007 constitution , The prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand must be a member of the House of Representatives. Therefore, the qualifications for the office of prime minister are the same as the qualifications for membership in the house. Prior to the 2014 coup d'état , to be appointed, the nominee for the office must have the support of one-fifth of

3905-447: The premiership were abundant, he remarked, "I will never resign in response to these threats. I will not dissolve the House. I will meet the king today to report what's going on." Later Samak met with King Bhumibol Adulyadej at Hua Hin palace. A few days after, 30,000 protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy occupied Samak's Government House compound in central Bangkok so as to force him and his advisers to work out of

3976-409: The prime minister is therefore ultimately responsible for the failings and performance of their ministers and the government as a whole. The prime minister cannot hold office for a consecutive period of more than eight years. As the most visible member of the government, the prime minister represents the country abroad and is the main spokesperson for the government at home. The prime minister must, under

4047-549: The removal of Srettha Thavisin . The office of the "President of the People's Committee " ( ประธานคณะกรรมการราษฎร ), later changed to "Prime Minister of Siam" ( นายกรัฐมนตรีสยาม ), was first created in the Temporary Constitution of 1932 . The office was modeled after the prime minister of the United Kingdom , as Siam became a parliamentary democracy in 1932 after a bloodless revolution . However,

4118-515: The return of a former military dictator were killed by rightwing mobs. In interviews he gave to CNN and al-Jazeera in 2008, Samak denied any involvement in the attacks that left at least 46 dead, and he insisted only one person was killed intentionally. Following 6 October 1976, Samak became Minister of the Interior in the administration of Tanin Kraivixien , an anti-Communist royalist with

4189-484: The ruling People's Power Party (PPP) leadership. Somchai Wongsawat – the fugitive ex-P.M. Thaksin Shinawatra's brother-in-law, was ratified by the National Assembly of Thailand as Prime Minister of Thailand on 17 September, winning 298 votes against 163 votes for Abhisit Vejjajiva . The Senate President lodged a complaint with the Constitutional Court of Thailand (ConCourt) on 2 June 2008, and

4260-423: The same, and it continued to be part of the government, now under Chavalit Yongchaiyudh . When the parliament unseated Chavalit in a vote of no confidence at the peak of the 1997 Asian financial crisis , the party split: 12 of its 18 members of parliament (MPs)—the so-called "Cobra faction"—supported the new government of Chuan Leekpai , defying a party board resolution not to do so, and were therefore expelled from

4331-684: The slogan Kho fha fun phong pai duay jai tanpng (ขอฝ่าฟันผองภัยด้วยใจทนง, "overcome danger with a proud heart"), which was part of the song Kwam Fun Un Sung Sud (ความฝันอันสูงสุด, "The Impossible Dream") by the King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX). In the 1979 general election , TCP won 32 of 301 seats: almost all of the Bangkok constituencies, but only three outside the capital. In 1983 , it increased its number of seats to 36 of 324 (24 of which were elected in Bangkok), and became part of Prem Tinsulanonda 's government coalition. In

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4402-469: The vote of only one-fifth of the members of the House of Representatives for a debate on the matter. Then after the debate a vote is taken and with a simple majority the prime minister can be removed. This process cannot be repeated within one parliamentary session. The prime minister is aided in his work by the Office of the Prime Minister ( สำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี ) a cabinet-level department headed usually by two ministers of state . These offices are housed in

4473-425: The voting session on 27 June. As predicted by opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva , of 442 MPs present, Samak got 280 votes of confidence and 162 votes of no-confidence. Samak Sundaravej's 5-month-old government was in great trouble on 10 July 2008 after Pattama the third top official in the ruling People Power Party (PPP) resigned from this post, effective Monday. The deputy leader of the party Yongyut Tiyapairat,

4544-457: Was Phraya Manopakorn Nititada , a judge. The title of the office was changed from "Prime Minister of Siam " to "Prime Minister of Thailand " in 1945 and then permanently with the renaming of Siam to Thailand in 1949. For most of its existence, the office has been occupied by Army leaders; sixteen out of thirty. Military dominance began with the country's second prime minister, Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena , who ousted his civilian predecessor in

4615-611: Was a Thai politician who briefly served as the Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defense in 2008, as well as the leader of the People's Power Party in 2008. Samak was born in Bangkok , Thailand to Phraya Bamrungratchaboriphan (Samian Sundaravej) and his wife Khunying Amphan Bamrungratchaboriphan (née Amphan Chittakon). He was of Chinese ancestry (ancestral surname Lee (李)) and had five siblings. According to Samak himself, his Chinese ancestors came to Thailand in

4686-404: Was a private company having commercial purpose. This was in breach of Section 267 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2007) and led to the termination of his premiership as of the date the said prohibited act was performed. The ECT has appointed an inquisitorial panel to look into the case and discovered that it was a prima facie case, so it unanimously resolved to forward the case to

4757-541: Was banned from politics for 5 years, after the Supreme Court affirmed vote buying charges against him. Then, Chiya Sasomsub was removed from office by another supreme court, for illegally concealing his wife's assets. The Constitutional Court ruled on 8 July that Noppadon and the entire cabinet violated the charter by failing to ask parliamentary approval for a Cambodia deal. Noppadon signed the agreement on June, to support Cambodia's bid to seek World Heritage status for

4828-424: Was dissolved on 30 May 2007 by the military appointed Constitutional Tribunal for violation of election laws. Members of the dissolved party immediately organised a new party called the People's Power Party. In 2007, the People's Power Party came to power in the first election since the military coup the previous year. Samak, then the party's leader, became Prime Minister of Thailand. He was promptly accused of being

4899-1876: Was held at Wat Benchamabophit and his cremation was held at Wat Debsirin. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the ceremonies, representing the King and Queen. His ashes were scattered in Sattahip Bay in a final ceremony. Samak has received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand: This Cabinet was active from 6 February 2008 to 24 September 2008 Prime Minister of Thailand Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Paetongtarn Shinawatra ( PTP ) Phumtham Wechayachai ( PTP ) Suriya Juangroongruangkit ( PTP ) Anutin Charnvirakul ( BTP ) Pirapan Salirathavibhaga ( UTN ) Pichai Chunhavajira ( PTP ) Prasert Jantararuangtong ( PTP ) Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Mongkol Surasajja [REDACTED] Wan Muhamad Noor Matha ( PCC ) Pichet Chuamuangphan ( PTP ) Paradorn Prissanananthakul ( BTP ) Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut ( PP ) [REDACTED] Mongkol Surasajja Kriangkrai Srirak Bunsong Noisophon President: Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul President: Prasitsak Meelarp President: Nakarin Mektrairat Diplomatic missions of / in Thailand Passport Visa requirements Visa policy Borders : Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Maritime : India Indonesia Vietnam) Foreign aid The prime minister of Thailand ( Thai : นายกรัฐมนตรี , RTGS :  Nayok Ratthamontri , pronounced [nāː.jók rát.tʰā.mōn.trīː] ; literally 'chief minister of state')

4970-439: Was revealed on 11 September by Theerapol Nopparampa, his close aide, after he spent about 50 minutes meeting Mr Samak at his home and he told AP that Samak told him to tell "every reporter that he is going to step down from being the party leader and he will not accept the prime ministership." The ruling People's Power Party said earlier it was abandoning its bid to install Samak back in power. The announcements raise hopes of ending

5041-478: Was treated at Bumrungrad International Hospital on 2 October 2008. He was discharged on 25 October. On the morning of 24 November 2009, it was reported that at 8:48 am Samak had died at Bumrungrad International Hospital of liver cancer at the age of 74. Thaksin Shinawatra , former Thai Prime Minister, said "My family and I express profound sorrow for the passing away of HE (His Excellency ) Samak but I will not be able to attend his funeral." Samak's funeral

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