Samak claims victory

WHO WINS WHAT

Samak claims victory

Four parties refuse to join Samak-led coalition govt / Democrats hold South, win Bangkok; PPP sweeps North, Isan / Abhisit refuses to bow out, gives PPP first go at forming govt

POST REPORTERS

The People Power party (PPP) last night fell short of a majority of the 480 house seats, and called for help in forming a stable coalition government.

Two parties immediately said they were prepared to join it in forming a government. Together, they command a small majority _ 242 seats from the total of 480.

After declaring victory in the general election with 228 seats, party leader Samak Sundaravej invited other parties to join him as potential coalition partners.

Pracharaj and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana said they were prepared to join the PPP. But the Puea Pandin, Chart Thai and Matchimathipataya parties decided against accepting Mr Samak's invitation.

Puea Pandin and Chart Thai held a joint press conference last night confirming that they will not be part of PPP-led attempts to form a government. Matchimathipataya also confirmed it would not join a PPP-led coalition.

The PPP wants to have around 280 members to make sure the next government will be stable.

A combination of the PPP, Prachaj and Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana has 242 seats, which still leaves it short of the numbers it wants.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Democrats would become the main opposition party rather than join the PPP in a coalition, but would be ready to form an alternative government if the PPP fails to do so.

Five-and-a-half hours after ballot boxes closed, PPP leader Samak Sundaravej asserted that he would be the next prime minister.

''I will become the next prime minister,'' Mr Samak declared at the party's headquarters.

''We invite all parties to work with us. The outcome of the election shows to people across the world how Thais feel towards the party,'' said the PPP leader.

The PPP needed three or four coalition partners, he said, adding he had already approached several parties.

He said he needed at least 30 days to form a government.

Commenting on the PPP's plan to grant a political amnesty to all 111 executive members of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, he said: ''The 111 banned executives didn't do anything wrong and if we have an opportunity, we will give them an amnesty.'' The coup, he declared, was dead.

PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee voiced skepticism about the results in the Bangkok race in which the party trailed the Democrat party.

Mr Samak said the PPP's internal surveys showed a different outcome.

Mr Surapong said the PPP would analyse vote count details to make sure they were correct.

Meanwhile, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said other parties had the right to accept or decline the invitation.

''I want to give all party leaders respect. There is no commitment that we have to be political allies. Just make the best decision for the country and the people,'' he said.

''If the PPP succeeds in forming the government, the Democrat party will serve as the opposition to protect the people's interest.

''And if the PPP fails, the Democrats are ready to form a coalition government,'' he said.

Mr Abhisit said that it would be inappropriate to set a timeframe for the PPP to form a coalition administration.

He also urged Mr Samak to think first of the people rather than of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and former executives of dissolved Thai Rak Thai party.

He was referring to Mr Samak's campaign to seek an amnesty for the banned politicians.

Mr Abhisit last night thanked voters for their support, saying it was a 'pure vote' and the largest number the party had ever won in a general election.

The PPP and the Democrat parties won similar numbers of list seats in the proportional representation system.

At press time, the PPP had won 34 seats while the Democrats had won 33 seats. There are 80 list seats in total.

Puea Pandin spokesman Wachiramont Khunakasemthawat yesterday denied a report that key party members were summoned by Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda.

Political observers said there was a chance that the PPP would fail to form a coalition government.

Sujit Boonbongkarn, political scientist and former Constitution Court judge, said the PPP had failed to win a majority vote and the Election Commission has yet to consider election fraud complaints.

''So small parties will still be a decider in formation of the government,'' he said.

Mr Sujit said the result in the Northeast and rural areas showed that coup-makers failed to justify the military's take-over.

Narong Boonsuayfan, of Walailak University in Nakhon Si Thammarat, suggested that Mr Samak drop the proposed amnesty for the 111 former TRT executives and proceed with forming economic policy. He said the PPP's coalition partners might not agree with the amnesty.