Thailand Election By Early July: PM Abhisit

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Thailand election by early July: PM

[BANGKOK, April 18, 2011 (AFP) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday said he expects elections to be held in the politically-divided country by early July.

Abhisit, the British-born, Oxford-educated head of the establishment Democrat Party, has previously said he would dissolve the lower house of parliament by early May for what is expected to be a hard-fought election.

The move would pave the way for a vote in late June or early July as by law polls must be held between 45 and 60 days after house dissolution.

"It is clear that an election is likely to be held between the end of June and early July," Abhisit said on Monday in a speech to youths who have volunteered to work during the polls.

He said that after years of economic and political turbulence in the kingdom, an election would be an opportunity for the country to move forward.

Thai society remains bitterly divided following the country's worst civil violence in decades in April and May of last year, when there was a series of street clashes between anti-government protesters and armed troops in Bangkok.

The mass protests by the "Red Shirt" opposition movement, which sees Abhisit's government as an unelected elite, left more than 90 people dead, mostly civilians.

The red-clad movement, which is broadly loyal to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has held a series of peaceful one-day rallies in the capital in recent weeks.

Thailand's election commission said on Monday that the door was open to poll monitors from overseas, in contrast to remarks from Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who said last month foreign observers were not welcome.

"We are open for any country to observe our working process as we're confident in our transparency and there is no problem with what we do," Election Commission (EC) secretary-general Suthipol Taweechaikarn told AFP.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-04-18

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PM insists election will be held late June or early July

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted Monday that the next general election will be held late June or early July.

The prime minister said although an election is not the entire democratic process but it is the heart of the democratic ruling system.

He said there are only a little bit over two months left before the election so all sides should get ready to help ensure that the election will be clean and fair.

"I would like to stress that the upcoming election will be very crucial for the country's future," Abhisit said.

-- The Nation 2011-04-18

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PM confirms early May for House dissolution

By The Nation

Published on April 19, 2011

The political situation will likely change for the better after the national election which should take place in late June or early July, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday, predicting the next government would assume office by August.

"It is definite the poll will take place in about two months," he said.

Abhisit said now was the time for all parties concerned to gear up for the election in order ensure free and fair balloting.

He said he believed the voting outcome would be crucial in charting the country's future. Plagued by turmoil in recent years, Thailand was now emerging from a severe crisis and poised to move forward, he added.

The PM confirmed he would, in the first week of May, submit for royal approval a decree for the House's dissolution. The decree would specify the poll date.

After balloting, the House would convene within 30 days to elect the new prime minister, he said, explaining his prediction for an August formation of the government.

Abhisit said he expected a minimum transition period between his caretaker government and the next administration, arguing any delay in handing over power would not be in the country's interests.

In regard to speculation about street protests aimed at disrupting the new government's formation, he said the voting outcome would represent the voice of the majority and their mandate to set politics back on course.

"I opt for House dissolution and early election because I want the majority to speak loud and clear via the ballot box," he said.

The PM said he could not stop street protests, although he hoped rally organisers would heed and respect the ballots.

He said his government had laid down a number of policies designed to revitalise the economy, leaving the country in good shape for the next government.

-- The Nation 2011-04-19