Smash hit

“If Samak is elected again, they can go to hell,” one 64-year-old housewife told reporters.

Although the prosecution of Mr Samak under Article 267 of the constitution predates the current anti-government protests, the nominally pro-democracy crowd that has occupied the government buildings and paralysed official business has been desperate to have the democratically elected Mr Samak forced out of power.

Political analysts were quick to give warning that rather than calming the waters the judgment by the court could lead to bigger waves of unrest for Thailand.

The broad base of supporters of Mr Samak — the rural poor who voted him so enthusiastically into power — are now expected to break their silence.

Until now the anti-Samak protests have proceeded with little objection from the core supporters of the Prime Minister but the surprise decision by the court could stir them into protests of their own.

Salmon the Samak way

1 chicken stock cube
1 lb salmon cut into chunks
1 tsp coriander seed
4 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp Thai pepper powder
1 cup sliced fresh galangal
1/4 cup sliced fresh lemongrass
1/4 cup kaffir lime leaves, sliced
1 cup fresh mushrooms
2 13oz cans coconut milk
7 tbsp fish sauce

Bring 48 fluid ozs of water to the boil and add chicken stock cube. Use a mortar and pestle to pound coriander seed, garlic and Thai pepper powder into a paste.

Add paste to the boiling stock.

Add the salmon, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, and stir. Add mushrooms, followed by coconut milk.

Season with fish sauce, bring to the boil, then remove from heat.

Ladle into a bowl, season with lime juice and sprinkle with chillies.

Serve with a mix of 80 per cent jasmine rice and 20 per cent sticky rice steamed together.

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