Thailand PM Dissolves Parliament

BANGKOK, Thailand - Thailand’s embattled prime minister announced Friday that he has dissolved parliament — a move guaranteeing national elections within two months — and a likely showdown with his political opponents.

“I have decided to dissolve the parliament,” Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told reporters after meeting with the country’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Under Thailand’s constitutional monarchy, the king must give his consent for parliament to be dissolved, and an official endorsement was expected from the palace later Friday. Elections would have to be held within 60 days. Details of the meeting were not disclosed.

Thaksin’s decision comes after months of calls for his resignation from critics who accuse him of corruption and abuse of power — and just one year since Thaksin won a landslide victory in national elections.

Thaksin’s firm base among lower-income and rural supporters would be expected to return him to office. The opposition, however, could boost the number of seats it holds in the 500-member lower house from the current 124 to the 200 needed to legally mount a no-confidence motion against the prime minister.

Thaksin has come under heavy fire over his family’s $1.9 billion tax-free sale last month of its controlling stake in telecommunications giant Shin Corp. to a Singaporean state-owned investment company.

Several leaders of the anti-Thaksin movement, known as the People’s Alliance for Democracy, said Friday that they would carry on with Sunday’s rally and other protests until Thaksin resigned.

“Dissolving the house and holding a fresh election is not a solution to the problem because Prime Minister Thaksin is the center of the problem,” said Suriyasai Takasila, a spokesman for the group. Students, workers, teachers and members of the middle class are expected to attend the demonstration.

Among those to lead the rally will be Chamlong Srimuang, a former politician and leader of the 1992 protests that helped to oust a military-backed government. Government officials believe the gathering may attract more than 100,000 people and worry could lead to violence.

Defense Minister Thammarak Isarangura na Ayuthaya warned protest leaders and demonstrators that according to security intelligence, “ill-intentioned people plan to cause trouble during the mass protest, which would lead to chaos.”

Thaksin on Thursday met with the king’s chief adviser, Prem Tinsulanond, sparking rumors that he sought his advice on how to handle the political crisis. Details were not disclosed of the meeting.

Thaksin has repeatedly rejected calls for his resignation, but said he would dissolve parliament if the political situation deteriorates.

PCT Thailand

By RUNGRAWEE C. PINYORAT, Associated Press Writer
Fri Feb 24, 7:38 AM ET

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