Thai PM 'must resign' over cooking show

Thai courts rule that PM violated the constitution by hosting television cooking shows and must resign from office.

An anti-government demonstrator weeps as she and others react to the news Tuesday. Thailand Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was forced to resigned.

BANGKOK, Thailand // Thailand's Constitutional Court has ruled that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej violated the constitution by hosting television cooking shows and must resign from office. Tuesday's ruling also means Mr Samak's cabinet must resign. The ruling comes amid a deepening political crisis for Thailand. Judge Chat Chonlaworn told the court that Mr Samak had "violated Article 267 of the constitution" and that "his position as prime minister has ended."

Thailand's constitution bars government ministers from private employment while in office. Anti-government protesters have occupied the grounds of Mr Samak's office since Aug 26, demanding his resignation. Protesters had pledged to end their sit-in at Thailand's Government House if Mr Samak stepped down, but it was unclear if the court's ruling would satisfy them. Mr Samak had previously said that he will accept a decision by the constitutional court.

"Don't ask me about my political future. Let's go and ask the court," he told reporters earlier today in the northeastern town of Udon Thani. Mr Samak, a self-proclaimed foodie, hosted a popular television cooking show - "Tasting and Complaining" - for seven years before becoming prime minister. But he also made several appearances after taking office, allegedly breaking a constitutional prohibition on private employment while in office.

But Mr Samak's allies in the government's six-party ruling coalition said if Samak was forced to step down they would respond by nominating him again as their choice for prime minister. Such a move would inflame anti-government protesters demanding his resignation. Also, it is not clear whether this would again violate the constitution.

In testimony to the court yesterday, Mr Samak defended himself by saying he was not an employee of the company that made the show and only received payment for his transportation and the ingredients used for cooking. Sakchai Khaewwaneesakul, the managing director of the company that produced the show, said he paid the prime minister US$560 (Dh2,057) per show for incidental expenses. *AP