House dissolution: 'Only option' [in Thailand]

• Published: 11/04/2010
• Bangkok Post
  

The government has no other option than to dissolve the House of Representatives to restore peace to the country, said former acting leader Chaturon Chaisaeng of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party on Sunday.

Key opposition politician Chaturon Chaisaeng

"I believe the political situation will be clear by next week," Mr Chaturon said after visiting the injured red-shirt protesters at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General Hospital.

On Saturday, protesters led by the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) clashed with soldiers, resulting in at least 20 dead and over 800 injured.

"I want the junior coalition parties to decide quickly whether they want to remain with the Democrat-led government. There can be changes by having a general election only," he said.

Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat, who is convicted deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra's brother-in-law, said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva must be held accountable for the bloodshed on Saturday.

Mr Somchai visited wounded demonstrators at Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General Hospital and offered them his financial assistance.

Former PM Somchai Wongsawat

"I urge the prime minister and his cabinet to take responsibility for the incident on Saturday. The government is not doing the right thing by using force to disperse the protesters because people have the right to call for democracy," Mr Somchai said.

He said the government can settle this problem by dissolving the House.

He said the coalition partners should consider whether they would want to work the Democrats since they would also be held responsible for the casualties from the clashes yesterday

"I ask the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand to see if the government is violating people's rights," the former premier added.

However, Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart said dissolving the House was not the government's only option.

"If the prime minister dissolves the House now, the political turmoil would likely continue because other coloured-shirt groups would come out to rally again," the Chart Thai Pattana Party advisory chief said.

On the authorities' efforts to disperse the protesters, Maj Gen Sanan said the government was not being ineffective but was following procedure.