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A vote of confidence on the government of Prime Minister of Thailand Samak Sundaravej in the form of a referendum was supposed to be held in Thailand later in 2008.[1] The vote is being called to determine if Samak's government should stay in office following the 2008 Thai political crisis. However, the Constitutional Court of Thailand sacked Samak from office on September 9, 2008, Samak was replaced by the Deputy Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat after a vote in the National Assembly of Thailand on September 17, 2008.[2][3][4] [5]
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The Cabinet of Thailand held a meeting at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters in Bangkok in which plans for a referendum on the government after PM Samak refused to call for a dissolution of parliament and hold snap elections or he and his government will resign.[6] Culture Minister Somsak Kiatsuranond announced to the media on the proposal after the special cabinet meeting. The Council of State is currently deciding on the referendum question and the details of the referendum.[1] He said the cabinet members are planning a referendum which ask voters on the government and the current cabinet - even giving voters an opportunity to comment on the ongoing political crisis and standoff in Bangkok. Questions might include whether voters approve of the government, want it to resign, or favor a new election. "Prime Minister Samak (Sundaravej) sees this as the best solution," said by the Culture Minister.
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."[7]
On 10 September 2008, however, the PPP shied away from their earlier statement they would renominate Sundaravej and was apparently looking for an alternative candidate instead;[8] the new PM was to be nominated on 12 September 2008.[9]
People Power Party's deputy spokesman Kuthep Suthin Klangsang, on September 12, 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 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 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 the 5 parties who the PPP nominates to take office again.[10][11][12] 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 September 2.[13]
On 12 September 2008, the quorum for selecting the new PM was not reached and the decision was delayed to 17 September 2008 in an event seen as signaling the end of Samak's career.[14] After its four coalition partners stated they'd prefer someone else to become PM instead of Samak, the PPP agreed to drop his nomination.[15]
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