Thailand's recently ousted Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has decided to give up his attempt to win back his job, a close aide said Friday, after political allies abandoned him in the maneuvering to end the country's leadership deadlock. Samak's aide Teerapon Noprampa told reporters that the former prime minister wanted to give them the message that he “has done his best as party leader and prime minister in defending the democratic system” and he had how decided to end his participation in those roles. From now on, it was up to the party to decide what to do, he cited Samak saying, apparently referring to whom it wished to nominate as the new prime minister, which is its prerogative as the biggest party in the House of Representatives. The House was due to pick a new prime minister on Friday morning, but failed to do so after not enough members showed up to hold a valid vote. It was rescheduled to Wednesday. His ruling People's Power Party, riven by dissent, earlier Friday announced that it was giving up its bid to install Samak back in power.
