Prime Minister Of Thailand Resigns

Prime Minister Banharn Silpaarcha won the vote, but lost office.

Facing a censure vote in parliament Saturday after three days of bruising allegations of corruption, lying and ineptitude, Banharn won the support of his coalition partners only on condition he announce his resignation first.

Eyes downcast, Banharn pledged at a packed news conference to step down within a week and turn over power to a member of the six-party coalition.

Minutes later, Banharn’s former allies backed him in the confidence vote. He won, 207 votes to 182 and received a formal round of applause, but his career lay in ruins.