Samak has established the right of all Thai political leaders to spend a career justifying murder, jailing opponents, shutting down the media and foul-mouthing anyone with the temerity to question them, and still be described, as his successor as PM Somchai described him, as "devoting his life to democracy'.
Samak alianzisha haki ya watawala wote wa kisiasa wa Thailand kutumia nafasi zao za kikazi kuhalalisha mauaji, kuwatia nguvuni wapinzani wao, kuvifungia vyombo vya habari na kumchafua yeyote mwenye ujasiri wa kuwahoji, na bado akaelezewa, kama mrithi wake Mbunge Somchai aliyemwelezea kama "aliyeyatoa maisha yake kwa demokrasia"