Thai PM refuses to dissolve parliament
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Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday morning rejected the anti-government protestors' demand of House dissolution by noon while the latter decided to take further steps to push the government to give in, including a blood-scattering strategy.
 The Thailand's anti-government red-shirts rally. |
In a nationwide broadcast following a special meeting of the leaders of the coalition parties, Abhisit on Monday morning confirmed there will be no House dissolution by noon as the red- shirts demanded one day before.
He said the government will not meet the ultimatum or dissolve the parliament by Monday noon. And the decision was made out of consensus of all the coalition parties, said the prime minister.
Abhisit's remarks were a response to an ultimatum read by one of the red-shirts leader midday Sunday, which demanded the government to dissolve the parliament within 24 hours or they will step up pressure during their rally in Bangkok.
The government is receptive to the views of the red-shirt protesters, Abhisit stressed in his address, although he was not able to respond to their ultimatum for a House dissolution by Monday noon.
He maintained that his government has no intention whatsoever to be the first to resort to the use of force. Nor does his government intend to provoke further conflict with the protesters, he said.
Abhisit gave the speech as hordes of red-clad people were protesting outside the 11th Infantry Regiment barrack, where the government's Peace-keeping Operation Command is located and the prime minister is temporarily dwelled.
The red-shirts movement is staging the rally to topple the Abhisit administration, urging the prime minister to dissolve the parliament and call a fresh election. Earlier they had claimed the rally will draw "1 million supporters" to the capital city from all over the country, though the Interior Ministry give its account that the total turnout in Bangkok was 46,377 by 1 p.m. Sunday.
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