Thailand's Samak Sundaravej accepted his party's nomination yesterday to return as prime minister, two party officials said, resuming a collision course with protesters hell-bent on stopping him.

"He has agreed to accept the offer and wants to let parliament decide," said Sutin Klangsaeng after meeting Samak at his home in Bangkok.

Another official from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said Samak was keen to return to the political fray two days after a court found him guilty of a conflict of interest.