Banharn elected Thai party president

Banharn elected Thai party president

BANGKOK (Reuter): Thai members of parliament elected a trusted
stalwart of the Chart Thai party as their president yesterday
with the power to nominate party leader Banharn Silpa-archa as
the country's 21st prime minister.

Boon-ua Prasertsuwan was elected president of the House of
Representatives on a vote of 231 to 156, beating rival Bhichai
Rattakul, nominated by the outgoing Democrat Party in the
parliament's first sitting since the July 2 election.

There were three abstentions.

Banharn's Chart Thai (Thai Nation) emerged victorious in the
election by winning 92 seats in the 391-seat House of
Representatives and quickly formed a coalition with six other
parties to control 233 seats.

Chart Thai ousted the incumbent coalition government of
Democrat Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai. His party won 86 seats.
The appointment of Boon-ua is seen by analysts as a guarantee
that Banharn's name will be proposed to Thailand's King Bhumibol
Adulyadej for royal approval to become prime minister.

There were rumors that Boon-ua could propose Banharn's name
for premiership to the king late yesterday, but confirmation was
not possible.

Earlier yesterday, the king opened the house in a royal
ceremony after which the first sitting was convened.

The unusually early first sitting of the parliament, which is
normally held some days after the royal opening, underlined how
anxious Banharn and his party are to get the top post, analysts
said.

"Cabinet formation can be done later. The Chart Thai want
Banharn and the party to first get the post of prime minister.
After that a list of ministers can be agreed, most likely by
around this weekend," one political analyst said.

The process could take a little longer than normal because of
two Buddhist holidays this week, the analyst said.

Chart Thai has already agreed with its coalition partners on
the division of posts in a new cabinet but Chart Thai and its
coalition partners are facing internal strife over whether a
senior deputy Chart Thai leader should get a ministerial post.

The controversial leader is Vatana Asvahame, a veteran and
powerful politician who the United States says it suspects of
having links to drug trafficking and who has been refused a visa
to travel to America.

Although Vatana has denied the allegation some coalition
members remain opposed to his appointment to the cabinet because
they fear it may affect the image of a new government.

Washington last week said bilateral ties could be complicated
if a new Thai government includes those suspected of links to
drug trafficking.

"After he gets the prime minister's job, Banharn can take his
time to sort out this controversy. He has moved faster than
expected and I expect him to solve this problem in a few days
rather than in few weeks," a diplomat said.

The outgoing Democrats, who say they are prepared to play the
role of a responsible opposition, were waiting in the wings to
watch if Banharn's coalition runs into any trouble. They are
likely to try to woo away his allies and form an alternative
coalition if Banharn runs into serious trouble.