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Thailand’s Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Remarks Smack of Contradiction

Hold everything! Thailand’s Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej now says that he never said what he was reported to have said yesterday. Friday’s Bangkok post and virtually every other publication in Southeast Asia reported that Mr. Samak had publicly stated that he would call a snap election as soon as the current Thai constitution was amended. Prime Minister Samak said that reports that he planned to dissolve parliament and hold snap elections when the revised charter is in place.

After reading the reports Friday morning he said, “I would like to express astonishment; I have never said anywhere that I will dissolve the House. Reporters write this themselves. When I was there (Malaysia), I did not mention a word about dissolving the House.”

The quote that was reported and attributed to Mr. Samak the day before in the Bangkok Post and elsewhere went as follows; “This government may not have an opportunity to count on the amended charter (to benefit its own working conditions). There will be a general election after the amendments are completed. It is the next government that will use it.” He now claims he never made any such statement. The reports from Kuala Lumpur seem to completely contradict Mr. Samak and it is unclear how such a mistake could have come about regarding such an important subject.

The ongoing debate about plans to amend the military junta imposed constitution, which some fear is an attempt to return former Prime Minister Thaksin to power has been slightly delayed by the absence of Chart Thai leader Banharn Silpa-archa who is out of the country. Questioned about the current state of the push for amendments, Mr. Samak stated “We will wait for Mr Banharn” He is expected to return in a matter of days.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej Remarks Smack of Contradiction

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