广播听力：Thailand's Samak Gives up Bid for PM's Job

Thailand's recently ousted Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has decided to give up his attempt to win back his job.

Samak's aide Teerapon Noprampa told reporters that Samak wanted to say he has done his best and decided to end his participation in those roles. (Www.hXen.com)

"The only message he wants me to deliver is that he has done his best as party leader and prime minister in defending the democratic system and he will now end his roles."

The House was due to pick a new prime minister on Friday morning, but failed to do so as not enough members showed up to hold a valid vote. It was rescheduled for Wednesday.

The ruling People's Power Party earlier on Friday announced that it was giving up its bid to install Samak back in power.

73-year-old Samak was booted out on Tuesday by a Constitutional Court ruling for violating a conflict-of-interest law by hosting a television cooking show while in office.

Criticism of Samak's leadership had turned into a national crisis on August 26, when anti-government protesters occupied the grounds of the prime minister's office in the Thai capital Bangkok and refused to leave until he resigned.

A party spokesman said the party has short-listed three candidates to replace Samak. However he did not say when the party will decide on the final candidate to contest the vote in Parliament.