Abhisit offers November 14 as date for general election
Source: Agencies |
May 4, 2010, Tuesday
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Thailand's prime minister, facing calls for new elections, yesterday proposed a November 14 date for the polls if anti-government protesters accept his reconciliation plan and peace and stability is restored.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made the offer in a live speech last night on all television channels, eight weeks into a tense standoff in the capital that has cost 27 lives.
He said that he would proceed with his reconciliation plan even if the so-called Red Shirt protesters occupying central Bangkok rejected it, but in that case he could not set a date for the election.
The Red Shirts claim that Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the help of the army. They have called for Parliament to be dissolved in 30 days or less. An election must be held within 60 days of Parliament being dissolved.
A Red Shirt protest leader, Jatuporn Prompan, said the group would hold a meeting to discuss Abhisit's offer and give its response today.
Abhisit spelled out a five-point reconciliation plan that he said took into account the main grievances of the protesters, whose occupation of major streets in the capital since mid-March has caused economic havoc and further polarized the country, which saw unity fade away after a 2006 coup ousted elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
"If there is a reconciliation process and the country has peace and stability the election can be held on November 14," Abhisit said. "That is the goal the government is ready to pursue."
Thaksin was ousted after protesters accused him of corruption and abuse of power, and since that time the nation has been split between his supporters and opponents. Thaksin's support came in large part from the poorer rural electorate, who benefited from his innovative social welfare and village-level economic stimulus measures.
Abhisit's five points covered respect for the country's constitutional monarchy; reforms to solve problems of economic injustice; free but responsible media to be overseen by an independent watchdog agency; independent investigations of violent incidents connected with the protest that caused 27 deaths and almost 1,000 injuries; and amendment of the constitution to be more fair to all political parties.
"Looking at these measures, I realize that they may not be to anybody's liking," said Abhisit, adding that "For reconciliation to take place, nobody gets everything he wants."
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made the offer in a live speech last night on all television channels, eight weeks into a tense standoff in the capital that has cost 27 lives.
He said that he would proceed with his reconciliation plan even if the so-called Red Shirt protesters occupying central Bangkok rejected it, but in that case he could not set a date for the election.
The Red Shirts claim that Abhisit came to power illegitimately with the help of the army. They have called for Parliament to be dissolved in 30 days or less. An election must be held within 60 days of Parliament being dissolved.
A Red Shirt protest leader, Jatuporn Prompan, said the group would hold a meeting to discuss Abhisit's offer and give its response today.
Abhisit spelled out a five-point reconciliation plan that he said took into account the main grievances of the protesters, whose occupation of major streets in the capital since mid-March has caused economic havoc and further polarized the country, which saw unity fade away after a 2006 coup ousted elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
"If there is a reconciliation process and the country has peace and stability the election can be held on November 14," Abhisit said. "That is the goal the government is ready to pursue."
Thaksin was ousted after protesters accused him of corruption and abuse of power, and since that time the nation has been split between his supporters and opponents. Thaksin's support came in large part from the poorer rural electorate, who benefited from his innovative social welfare and village-level economic stimulus measures.
Abhisit's five points covered respect for the country's constitutional monarchy; reforms to solve problems of economic injustice; free but responsible media to be overseen by an independent watchdog agency; independent investigations of violent incidents connected with the protest that caused 27 deaths and almost 1,000 injuries; and amendment of the constitution to be more fair to all political parties.
"Looking at these measures, I realize that they may not be to anybody's liking," said Abhisit, adding that "For reconciliation to take place, nobody gets everything he wants."
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