Culinary politics

Back in february i posted about celebrity chef and Thai Prime minister Samak Sundaravej. Now it appears his culinary adventures have cost him his job. Apparently by continuing to host the TV show "Tasting Grumbling" he is in contravention of rules that ban ministers from having business links. It would be a bit like say an Irish Taoiseach taking money from property deveoplers if that's possible to imagine. The law in Thailand was obviously drafted to tackle large scale corruption and big business influence. The sum involved for Mr Samak was a triffling 340euros but enough for the opposition to seize on an opportunity to send him packing. Here's what the Guardian had to say yesterday. And the news reports today suggest that he may be back in charge soon...