Thai ruling party re-nominates leader as PM

Thailand's ruling party has re-nominated ousted leader Samak Sundaravej for the prime minister's post despite objections from its coalition partners.

Kuthep Saikrajang, a spokesman of Samak's People's Power Party, says a majority of party members voted Thursday to reappoint Samak. He says Samak is "the leader of our party so he is the best choice."

Samak was forced out of office on Tuesday by a court ruling that found him in violation of the constitution by hosting television cooking shows while in office.

Samak's re-nomination, however, was not endorsed by the other five parties in the ruling coalition, leaving the country mired in a political deadlock that has raised fears of instability and economic chaos.