BANGKOK, September 12 (SPA) - Samak Sundaravej has withdrawnfrom next week's Thai parliamentary vote to choose a new primeminister, a close aide said on Friday. His decision came hours after parliament postponed the voteto Wednesday, heading off a collision with protesters bent onblocking Samak's return to office just days after he was forcedto quit. "He said he did his best to protect democracy. From now onit's up to the party to decide what to do next," ThirapolNoprampa, a former official in the prime minister's office,told Reuters. House speaker Chai Chidchob had pushed back the specialHouse of Representatives session after many MPs failed to turnup, suggesting 24 hours of back-room wheeling and dealing inSamak's six-party coalition had failed to reach a conclusion.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/589483