Thailand’s three opposition parties say they will boycott snap elections planned for April

February 28th, 2006 by admin

Thailand’s three opposition parties say they will boycott snap elections planned for April because Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has refused to accept their ideas for political reform.

The announcement came after Mr Thaksin agreed to hold talks with them, but ruled out accepting their proposals.

In an effort to stem a growing campaign against him over claims of corruption and abuse of power, Mr Thaksin dissolved parliament on Friday, forcing a new vote three years ahead of schedule.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the opposition Democrats, says the three parties have decided not to run in the April 2 vote because it does not guarantee reform.

“The Chart Thai, Democrat and Mahachon parties agreed unanimously that we will not field candidates in this election,” he said.

The Prime Minister says the ballot will still be held regardless of any boycott.

Demands

Opposition parliamentarians want the abolition of a rule requiring that election candidates be members of a political party for at least 90 days before polls are held.

They are also seeking a reduction in the number of house members needed to censure the prime minister, from the current 200 out of 500.

Mr Thaksin has promised to make political reforms that could diminish his power and called for the establishment of a “neutral” committee to oversee changes to the constitution.

However, he has refused to enter into a pact with the opposition that commits him to constitutional amendments.

Discontentment

Mr Thaksin won a second consecutive landslide election 12 months ago, but his popularity has wanned since the election victory.

Many in Thailand are angry about Mr Thaksin’s family’s $US1.9 billion tax-free sale by of their stake in the telecommunications empire he founded.