Wednesday TRENDS
PHUKET'S anti-government coalition does not accept Somchai Wongsawat as Thailand's new Prime Minister and will await instructions on possible action on the island.
Local People's Alliance for Democracy leader Nattarong Aakpemsub said on Wednesday that the newly elected PM was the brother in law of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and would carry on the family philosophy in government.
Khun Nattarong told Phuketwan that the PAD nationwide campaign would continue to call for the entire government to step aside.
Khun Nattarong, who was a PAD spokesperson during the three-day blockade of Phuket International Airport late last month, said that the airport will not be closed again.
Demonstrations on Phuket against the government and the new prime minister are likely to continue, though, at Provincial Hall and the public park at Saphan Hin.
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While there was manoeuvring among MPs behind the scenes, Khun Somchai was elected prime minister by Parliament on Wednesday with a solid 298 votes from the People Power party (PPP) and its coalition.
He will formally take office once the vote has the approval of His Majesty the King.
Tourism accounts for about 6 percent of Thailand's gross domestic product, bringing in close to $17 billion last year from more than 14 million foreign tourists.
Phuket has a growing share of the number of visitors and contributed more than 90 billion baht to the national economy in 2007.
Khun Somchai became the acting prime minister after the Constitutional Court disqualified PM Samak Sundaravej over a conflict of interest. A one-time celebrity chef, he was paid to appear on a TV cooking show.
Coincidentally on Wednesday, the Supreme Court postponed its verdict on a land purchase case against Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Khunying Potjaman until October 21.
The court ruled that the couple should be present.
Prime Minister Somchai has said that his relationship with Khun Thaksin will have no effect on implementing justice for all in Thailand.
Key Events: Protests and Phuket
December 23: Samak Sundaravej leads the People Power party (PPP) to election victory.
February 6: Samak unveils a cabinet made up of members of a six-party coalition which holds nearly two-thirds of parliamentary seats.
February 28: Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, in self-imposed exile for 17 months, gets hero's welcome from supporters as he returns to Thailand and goes straight to court, where he is released on bail on corruption charges.
May 25: The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), a collection of anti-government groups, launches street protests calling for Samak to resign for seeking constitutional amendments they believe are aimed at helping Thaksin.
July 8-10: Court decisions force out of office three senior government officials and Yongyut Tiyapairat, the house speaker and PPP deputy leader.
July 15: A military standoff breaks out near a disputed temple on the Thai-Cambodia border, with the PAD accusing Samak of relinquishing Thai territory to help Thaksin with a business deal in the neighbouring country.
July 31: Thaksin's wife, Pojaman, is convicted of tax evasion and released on bail.
August 11: Thaksin and his wife flee to exile in Britain, claiming they will not get a fair trial on the corruption charges mounting against them.
August 26: At least 35,000 PAD-led protesters raid a TV station, surround three ministries and break into Bangkok's main government compound in what they say is their ''final war'' against the government.
August 29: Scuffles break out between police and PAD supporters still laying siege to Government House. Protests spread. Hundreds of PAD protestors assemble around Phuket International Airport. Some reach the tarmac. Flights stopped at 3.50pm
August 30: Stranded passengers arrive at airport in hope of flights resumption. Airport General Manager Wing Commander Wicha Nurnlop says that in some ways, the airport blockade is ''worse than the 2004 tsunami.''
September 1: About 11am the announcement comes: the protest at the airport is over, and flights are to resume later in the day. About 3.50pm a Thai Airways Boeing 777 from Bangkok touches down, first of the airlift in, and an exodus out.
September 2: Overnight clashes leave one dead and dozens injured in Bangkok. Samak declares a state of emergency in the capital. Thai Election Commission finds the PPP guilty of buying votes and recommends the party be disbanded.
September 3: Foreign Minister Tej Bunnag resigns. Army chief Anupong Paochinda tells Samak that despite state of emergency he will not use force to disperse anti-government protesters from Government House. Phuket resort occupancy rates slump to 30 percent and recovery could take two years.
September 4: Samak says in a radio and television speech that he will not resign. Cabinet suggests a national referendum as a solution to the impasse.
September 9: Constitutional Court bans Samak from holding the office of Prime Minister because of two paid appearances on a TV cooking show.
September 12: MPs Vote for to elect a PM and Samak is the leading candidate but there are insufficient numbers for a quorum. Samak realises his position is untenable and steps aside.
September 14: State of emergency for Bangkok lifted but travel warnings by more than 20 countries remain in place.
September 17: Somchai elected as new PM.
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TRENDS
every day, Monday to Friday, at Phuketwan. It's essential reading. To tell us your news, email bigislandmedia@gmail.com or telephone 081 6513489.Latest
TRENDS
from Phuketwan:September 16
Good news for shopaholics: Central Festival Phase II brings a 140 million baht expansion, with extra brands coming. The 2008 Vegetarian Festival is sharpening its act, too; Sky Dive Reef meeting planned . . . again.
Phuket Central Festival Phase II Set to Sale
September 15
This week should give Phuket and Thailand a new leader. The best role model for 'new politics' is Singapore; Travel warning stays; Rawai supermarket opens with showgirls
Phuket and Thailand Need a benevolent Dictator
September 11
The Andaman's added attractions this high season will include a month of widespread price cutting in November, part of a push to revitalise the tourism industry on Phuket and in the region.
Phuket Price Packages Chase Tourism Rebound
September 5
Why did they do it? That's the week's big question. The invasion of Phuket International Airport was a big mistake that is going to cost Phuket people dearly. Why?; Jobs is the critical topic as tourism slows.
Phuket Flights: Why Was Airport Invaded?
September 4
The Prime Minister defends his right to remain in power, and Cabinet follows up with a plan for a public referendum to defuse the political crisis. A referendum may also divide the protestors.
Samak Tells Thailand: I Am Not Going Anywhere
September 3
Phuket occupancy rates are down from 55 percent to 30 percent and the recovery will take up to two years, a tourism industry leader says. The island and airlines continue to count the cost of the airport siege.
Phuket Air Siege: Two Years For Recovery
September 2
With a state of emergency announced in Bangkok, a survey of Phuket resorts indicates that the airport siege cost the tourism industry dearly. One thing is sure: Phuket is no longer the haven from political unrest it was last week.
Phuket Resorts Report Cancellations, Uncertainty
September 1
Phuket is flying again. Perhaps not as high as it would like yet, but that will come in time. What was the cost of the airport blockade and what are the lessons for the island? Here's our analysis.
Phuket Flights Return, Island Counts The Cost
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TRENDS
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