Cooking Show Ousts Thai Leader

Nick Gillespie | September 9, 2008

Wouldn't you like to live in a country that takes its constitution seriously?

Thailand's prime minister was forced to resign along with his Cabinet on Tuesday after a court ruled that he had violated the constitution by hosting TV cooking shows while in office.

His party later unanimously agreed to re-nominate him as a candidate for prime minister, indicating that Thailand is still not free from its deep political crisis that has virtually paralyzed the government, spooked the financial markets and scared away tourists.

"The defendant has violated Article 267 of the constitution, and his position as prime minister has ended," the head of the nine-judge panel, Chat Chonlaworn, said. He said the Cabinet will remain in a caretaker position until a new administration is installed.

More here.

Memo to Anthony Bourdain: Fuggedaboutit.

Comments

shoefly|9.9.08 @ 7:57AM|#

They take it so seriously that they have to write a new one every three or four years or so, following the latest coup.

I can't decide who's worse, the prime minister (and Thaksin before him) who basically buys the votes from the countryside, or the People's Alliance for "Democracy" which is basically just a bunch of self-servers from Bangkok's elite who are going to harangue anyone in power they didn't vote for until he's taken out.

|9.9.08 @ 8:41AM|#

Anthony Bourdain for President!

|9.9.08 @ 9:05AM|#

DOWN WITH THE FOODIES!!!

That Dude|9.9.08 @ 9:22AM|#

"If my insurance rates are higher because you live on a diet of spam and cinnabons...."

Uh, I'm not exactly sure what he's saying there since he trails off and then abruptly says McDonald's shouldn't be legislated against, but I don't think Anthony Bourdain is really the guy to complain about how poor lifestyles raise insurance rates.

|9.9.08 @ 9:24AM|#

Gay Zombie Porn

|9.9.08 @ 9:25AM|#

Article two hundred fucking sixty seven? Yeah, hard to take that one seriously.

|9.9.08 @ 9:26AM|#

NutraSweet, that looks fucking awesome. I wish I could watch the trailer but I'm at work.

|9.9.08 @ 9:56AM|#

Thanks alot, Free.

*writes on the chalkboard*
I WILL LEARN FROM OTHER'S MISTAKES
I WILL LEARN FROM OTHER'S MISTAKES
I WILL LEARN FROM OTHER'S MISTAKES
I WILL LEARN FROM OTHER'S MISTAKES
I WILL LEARN FROM OTHER'S MISTAKES.....

|9.9.08 @ 10:01AM|#

Wouldn't you like to live in a country that takes its constitution seriously?

If it's the United States Constitution, then the answer is yes. Yes I would.

Abdul|9.9.08 @ 10:45AM|#

I think it would be great to live in a country where the leader has so little to do, they have to constitutionally mandate that he can't get a part-time gig somewhere else.

johnl|9.9.08 @ 10:52AM|#

reason should do something on Thailand. Shoefly's summary is pretty good though. But it leaves out the Islamic successionist movement, the monarchy, ... I could use a program.

johnl|9.9.08 @ 10:54AM|#

Sorry I meant *another* thing on Thailand.

Kolohe|9.9.08 @ 11:46AM|#

I've only been to Pataya, but compared to most of Asia, it's Deadwood-on-the-Sea.

There seems to be only two rules:
1) Don't talk about the King.
2) Don't piss in the street.

|9.9.08 @ 12:10PM|#

I've been to Pattaya and Bangkok* and enjoyed everything except leaving. I send my sincere hopes that the Thais develop a functioning democratic society. They are such a good people, they deserve one.

* 30 years ago. Ouch!

TallDave|9.9.08 @ 12:49PM|#

My first thought was

"Well, that's what you get for having 267 articles in your constitution."

It's funny, Thailand might have gone Communist if not for the Vietnam War and its aftermath. The excesses of the victors soured them on the concept.

|9.9.08 @ 3:45PM|#

Only through a Bourdain presidency will the phrase "pork spending" become as delicious as it ought to be.