You can probably think of several reasons why someone should be fired — but is cooking one of them?

Bangkok Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his entire Cabinet were recently forced from office after Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled he’d broken a contract of interest law — by hosting several episdoes of a popular TV cooking show.

Sundaravej, who has cooked on many occasions for visiting world leaders, hosted “Tasting and Complaining” for seven years before being elected into office. Political opponents have been after him since his election, claiming his occasional appearances on the show while serving in office violated Article 267 of the country’s constitution. They claim his appearances on the show should be considered private employment while in a public office.

The former prime minister has defended his position, claiming he was not an employee of the company responsible for producing the show. He’d only taken payment for transportation to the studio and for ingredients used while on camera.

An election for a new prime minister is scheduled, but the political crisis has crippled the government during the interim.

Sundaravej’s party says he remains their first choice for re-election.

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Tags: Add new tag, Cooking, Election, Prime minster, Television show, Thailand