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Weapons which red shirt protesters claim they seized from troops are piled on the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship’s stage at Phan Fa Bridge. APICHART JINAKUL
Govt weighs earlier dissolution
Published: 12/04/2010
Bangkok Post
The government could offer to dissolve the house in six months, three months sooner than its most recent proposal, as it seeks to head off further red shirt protests, sources say.
The worst clashes on Thai streets in 18 years on Saturday have raised new questions about whether Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva can survive in the job.
As troops and red shirt protesters were fighting on city streets on Saturday night, key government policy makers were meeting to devise a way out for the Democrat Party-led coalition.
The fighting claimed 21 lives and left 858 people injured. The government ordered troops to withdraw late on Saturday night.
An uneasy truce prevailed yesterday, although the red shirts say they will fight on to persuade the government to dissolve the House and call a new election.
Some government figures believe an announcement on a timetable for dissolving the House would help break the impasse.
Sources in the Democrat Party and its coalition partners said yesterday the idea was discussed among their key members on Saturday night.
They believe an announcement by the prime minister on a time line for him to dissolve parliament - regardless of how the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship reacts - might be the best way for him to hang on to his job.
Key members at the meeting included Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and coalition heavyweights Newin Chidchob, Banharn Silpa-archa, Suwat Liptapanlop, Pradit Phataraprasit, Somsak Thepsuthin and Pairote Suwunchwee.
A dissolution of the House could be the best option available for the government, the sources said, adding that the most likely time frame for the end of the lower house would be six months.
But they said the prime minister would not announce his move until after the Songkran festival this week.
Once Mr Abhisit announces a time line, the UDD is likely to face growing public pressure to end its occupation of Phan Fa Bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection.
The UDD earlier rejected an offer by the prime minister to dissolve parliament in nine months, saying it was too long. After the clashes on Saturday, it called for his immediate resignation and for the prime minister to take responsibility for the casualties.
However, the coalition parties believe Mr Abhisit should not shoulder sole blame for the loss of life and he should not be forced to resign, the sources said.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, leader of the red shirt movement, said Mr Abhisit could not deny political and "criminal law" responsibility for what happened.
"Returning power to the people will be the best solution to bring happiness to all Thais, regardless of what colours they subscribe to, and to move the country forward," Thaksin said.
Mr Abhisit said the decision to "reclaim" areas around Phan Fa Bridge from the red shirts did not turn out as planned. Security forces led by the army were ordered to retreat to avoid more loss of life, following fierce resistance from the UDD and armed men using M79 grenade launchers, M67 hand grenades and machine guns including AK-47 rifles.
Since the UDD rally in Bangkok in mid-March, the prime minister has tried to solve the problem through negotiation. He has made no progress.
He admitted he was under growing criticism from the public for failing to restore law and order in the country by allowing the UDD to block Bangkok streets.
The UDD has ignored the emergency decree declared by the government, despite several warnings by the Centre for Public Administration in Emergency Situations to end its political gatherings.
The government contemplated declaring martial law, but Mr Suthep, who is the centre director, said all laws were useless if people refused to abide by them.
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn yesterday did not rule out another move to retake occupied areas from the red shirts, saying security forces had to withdraw to regroup and adjust strategies, but would be ready for the next operation if necessary.
Military bosses are split on how best to dislodge the UDD given the heavy loss of life.
An army source said army chief Anupong Paojinda and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon did not want another offensive drive by security authorities.
Gen Anupong was saddened by the loss of the soldiers, the source quoted him as saying. Four of the 21 who died were soldiers.
But assistant army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha said he did not oppose another clampdown on the protesters.
Another government source said soldiers would demand the right to fire live bullets if there was another offensive.
The worst clashes on Thai streets in 18 years on Saturday have raised new questions about whether Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva can survive in the job.
As troops and red shirt protesters were fighting on city streets on Saturday night, key government policy makers were meeting to devise a way out for the Democrat Party-led coalition.
The fighting claimed 21 lives and left 858 people injured. The government ordered troops to withdraw late on Saturday night.
An uneasy truce prevailed yesterday, although the red shirts say they will fight on to persuade the government to dissolve the House and call a new election.
Some government figures believe an announcement on a timetable for dissolving the House would help break the impasse.
Sources in the Democrat Party and its coalition partners said yesterday the idea was discussed among their key members on Saturday night.
They believe an announcement by the prime minister on a time line for him to dissolve parliament - regardless of how the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship reacts - might be the best way for him to hang on to his job.
Key members at the meeting included Deputy Prime Minister and Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and coalition heavyweights Newin Chidchob, Banharn Silpa-archa, Suwat Liptapanlop, Pradit Phataraprasit, Somsak Thepsuthin and Pairote Suwunchwee.
A dissolution of the House could be the best option available for the government, the sources said, adding that the most likely time frame for the end of the lower house would be six months.
But they said the prime minister would not announce his move until after the Songkran festival this week.
Once Mr Abhisit announces a time line, the UDD is likely to face growing public pressure to end its occupation of Phan Fa Bridge and Ratchaprasong intersection.
The UDD earlier rejected an offer by the prime minister to dissolve parliament in nine months, saying it was too long. After the clashes on Saturday, it called for his immediate resignation and for the prime minister to take responsibility for the casualties.
However, the coalition parties believe Mr Abhisit should not shoulder sole blame for the loss of life and he should not be forced to resign, the sources said.
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, leader of the red shirt movement, said Mr Abhisit could not deny political and "criminal law" responsibility for what happened.
"Returning power to the people will be the best solution to bring happiness to all Thais, regardless of what colours they subscribe to, and to move the country forward," Thaksin said.
Mr Abhisit said the decision to "reclaim" areas around Phan Fa Bridge from the red shirts did not turn out as planned. Security forces led by the army were ordered to retreat to avoid more loss of life, following fierce resistance from the UDD and armed men using M79 grenade launchers, M67 hand grenades and machine guns including AK-47 rifles.
Since the UDD rally in Bangkok in mid-March, the prime minister has tried to solve the problem through negotiation. He has made no progress.
He admitted he was under growing criticism from the public for failing to restore law and order in the country by allowing the UDD to block Bangkok streets.
The UDD has ignored the emergency decree declared by the government, despite several warnings by the Centre for Public Administration in Emergency Situations to end its political gatherings.
The government contemplated declaring martial law, but Mr Suthep, who is the centre director, said all laws were useless if people refused to abide by them.
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn yesterday did not rule out another move to retake occupied areas from the red shirts, saying security forces had to withdraw to regroup and adjust strategies, but would be ready for the next operation if necessary.
Military bosses are split on how best to dislodge the UDD given the heavy loss of life.
An army source said army chief Anupong Paojinda and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon did not want another offensive drive by security authorities.
Gen Anupong was saddened by the loss of the soldiers, the source quoted him as saying. Four of the 21 who died were soldiers.
But assistant army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha said he did not oppose another clampdown on the protesters.
Another government source said soldiers would demand the right to fire live bullets if there was another offensive.
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