Thai PM offers Nov. election
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The Thai government is ready to hold general election on November 14 if conditions are met, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday.
"I think that if the reconciliation process (is accepted by all sides) and the situation returns to normal, the election will be held on November 14, a goal that the government is ready to achieve," the prime minister said in a televised speech on Monday night.
It is the first time that Abhisit announced a clear date for a fresh election since the supporters of the anti-government United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) also known as red- shirt protesters began holding mass rally in Bangkok on March 14.
It is expected that Abhisit may dissolve the House in late August or early September.
According to the constitution, a general election must be held within 60 days after the prime minister announces the dissolution of House of Representatives.
Late March, Abhisit suggested dissolution of the House at the end of this year during the second round of talks with UDD leaders.
However, the red-shirts have pressed Abhisit to dissolve the lower house of parliament within 30 days.
The red-shirt protesters said on Monday they would seriously consider the government proposal to hold a November 14 election as part of efforts to end a violent political crisis which left at least 27 people dead.
In his speech, the prime minister clarified five elements of his roadmap. First, all parties concerned must join forces to uphold the monarchy. Second, the government will carry out national reform to do away with injustice in the economic and political structures.
Third, the government will ensure that the media will function as a constructive tool. Fourth, the government will set up an independent committee to investigate the deadly clashes between troops and protesters in April. Fifth, the government will take actions to study the public feelings of injustice regarding to political system and try to solve the problem.
If the situation remains tense then, the government is still committed to achieve five elements in the roadmap, not only the reconciliation process alone will be delayed but the exact election date will not be known either, Abhisit said.
In response to the speech, Jatuporn Prompan, a core leader of the UDD, said that the group will discuss the suggested date and give a reply to Abhisit.
The UDD has not refused or accepted the offer by the prime minister but described it as better than using force to disperse the protesters, he said.
"The offer by Mr. Abhisit should cool the tense situation," Jatuporn said.
Other UDD leaders, such as Suporn Atthawong and Jaran Ditapichai, expressed their satisfaction.
Suporn said that it is a good development because every one could go home and live a normal life while Jaran viewed it as a victory for the red-shirt protesters who have camped out at Bangkok's main tourism and shopping center for seven weeks.
