Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's (above) plan to revive cheap health care for the poor, debt suspension for farmers and other hallmarks of the Thaksin administration were expected to win parliamentary approval after a three-day debate. -- PHOTO: AFP

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's plan to revive cheap health care for the poor, debt suspension for farmers and other hallmarks of the Thaksin administration were expected to win parliamentary approval after a three-day debate.

Mr Samak's coalition government holds two-thirds of the seats in the 480-member lower house of parliament, with the sole opposition voice, the Democrat Party, occupying 164 seats.

'The populist policies of this government are completely the same as Thaksin's government and will plunge the country into further economic crisis,' Democrat Party deputy leader Jurin Laxanavisit told reporters.

The government's policy platform is the latest blow to the military generals who ousted Mr Thaksin in a September 2006 coup.

Mr Thaksin was accused of corruption and abuse of power but retains widespread popularity among the rural majority who benefited from his populist policies, which critics say saddled the country with debt.

Mr Samak's People's Power Party, comprised of Thaksin's allies, won December elections by campaigning as the proxy party for Thaksin's former ruling party, which was dissolved after the coup. PPP leads a six-party coalition government.

Mr Samak's Cabinet is packed with allies and relatives of Thaksin, who have been heavily criticised by the media and public as unqualified, unsuitable and tainted by corruption charges.

Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee has said the government plans a massive spending boost to stimulate Thailand's sluggish economy.

The stimulus package will include tax cuts for the poor, investment in large infrastructure projects and government efforts to push the Bank of Thailand to lower interest rates, he said earlier this month. -- AP