Thai Court Forces Premier From Office Over TV Cooking Show

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was forced from office on Tuesday when a court ruled that he had violated the Constitution by accepting payments to appear on cooking shows while in office. His party said it would nominate Mr. Samak to succeed himself, an outcome that would seem to defy the spirit of the court ruling and to ensure that Thailand's political crisis would continue. Anti-government protesters cheered and wept when the verdict was read over radio and television, but there was no sign that they would end a two-week standoff in which they have blockaded the prime minister's office. The confrontation has hobbled the government, hit financial markets, damaged the country's vital tourist trade and raised fears of violence or a possible military coup.