(BangkokPost.com)
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej appeared to contradict his own words on Friday, when he denied he has any plans to dissolve the House of Representatives or call an election, and was shocked to read media reports quoting him about it.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej dismissed reports that he planned to dissolve the parliament and call for snap polls after the revised constitution is in place.
"I would like to express astonishment," he said on Friday morning, as most newspapers headlined remarks he made to Thai businessmen in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
"I have never said anywhere that I will dissolve the House," Mr Samak told the media in an ambush-interview.
"Reporters write this themselves. When I was there (Malaysia), I did not mention a word about dissolving the House," he insisted.
On Friday, the front pages of virtually every Bangkok newspaper was dominated by reports that Mr Samak had told the group of Thai businessmen that after the constitution is amended, a general election would be held and a new government would be elected to carry out its work under the revised charter.
The official Thai News Agency, whose reporter accompanied Mr Samak, quoted him as saying:
"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 said.
It was not clear how the Kuala Lumpur reports could be rationalised with Mr Samak's statement on Friday. They seemed at direct odds.
The premier postponed a meeting with coalition partners to discuss the amendments. The meeting, scheduled for Friday, had to be called off because senior partner and Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa was in China on undisclosed business.
"We will wait for Mr Banharn," said Mr Samak.
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Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej appeared to contradict his own words on Friday, when he denied he has any plans to dissolve the House of Representatives or call an election, and was shocked to read media reports quoting him about it.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej dismissed reports that he planned to dissolve the parliament and call for snap polls after the revised constitution is in place.
"I would like to express astonishment," he said on Friday morning, as most newspapers headlined remarks he made to Thai businessmen in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.
"I have never said anywhere that I will dissolve the House," Mr Samak told the media in an ambush-interview.
"Reporters write this themselves. When I was there (Malaysia), I did not mention a word about dissolving the House," he insisted.
On Friday, the front pages of virtually every Bangkok newspaper was dominated by reports that Mr Samak had told the group of Thai businessmen that after the constitution is amended, a general election would be held and a new government would be elected to carry out its work under the revised charter.
The official Thai News Agency, whose reporter accompanied Mr Samak, quoted him as saying:
"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 said.
It was not clear how the Kuala Lumpur reports could be rationalised with Mr Samak's statement on Friday. They seemed at direct odds.
The premier postponed a meeting with coalition partners to discuss the amendments. The meeting, scheduled for Friday, had to be called off because senior partner and Chart Thai party leader Banharn Silpa-archa was in China on undisclosed business.
"We will wait for Mr Banharn," said Mr Samak.
Discuss
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