Thailand Postpones Premier Vote After Samak Boycott (Update2)

Thailand's parliament postponed a vote to select a new prime minister after lawmakers boycotted the session to prevent the re-election of Samak Sundaravej, who was ordered to step down this week for hosting a cooking show.

``We don't have enough participants,'' parliamentary speaker Chai Chidchob told lawmakers. ``I would like to postpone the meeting'' until Sept. 17, Chai said.

Lawmakers may now choose an alternative premier to end the two-week political standoff as more than 10,000 mainly middle- class Bangkok residents vow to continue to occupy the prime minister's ceremonial office until there is a change of government. Protests over Samak's seven-month old government, elected with support from the rural poor, has sent consumer confidence to its lowest level this year.