Govt pushes ahead with poll

By The Nation

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday he would explain the reasons for dissolving the House in May so that all coalition |partners would help pass two organic laws needed to organise the general election.

"Now that we have agreed to move ahead to hold the next election, we should cooperate to pass the bills to produce procedures for the Election Commission," Suthep said.

The organic laws would implement charter amendments for the new voting system.

After Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday he would dissolve the House in the first week of May, the Chart Thai Pattana and Bhum Jai Thai parties came out to express dissatisfaction.

Banharn Silapa-archa, the de factor leader of Chart Thai Pattana, and Newin Chidchob, the de facto leader of Bhum Jai Thai, said the timing was too soon and the political situation was still volatile.

Abhisit insisted during his weekly TV programme yesterday he would not change his mind.

"I've made the decision so that our country can go forward and I will give the highest priority to the people's voice," Abhisit said.

Suthep said the clear House dissolution timeframe would pacify the government's opponents so they would not create more disturbances.

"All should stop causing trouble for the country and should instead focus on contesting the next election and let the people make the decision on the conflicts," Suthep said.

The Democrats did not want the election either but the prime minister wants to see the turmoil ended through the poll, he said.

The issue would not weaken the Democrat's bonds with its coalition partners, he added.

-- The Nation 2011-03-14

its a good call, the opposition such as it is, are in disarray, there is no credible alternative to the democrats and no amount of scrambling around by the red menace trying to make themselves look electable, is going to be possible within the time frame

Abhisit is no monkey, he knows what he is doing

he should win with a landslide ..........