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Opposition makes a push for power

Article published on the 2008-12-08 Latest update 2008-12-08 12:18 TU

Democrat Party's secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban joins hands with new coalition members.(Photo: Reuters)

Democrat Party's secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban joins hands with new coalition members.
(Photo: Reuters)

Thailand’s opposition Democrat Party has requested a session of parliament be opened so that it can install its leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as Prime Minister because it claims to have wooed enough minor parties to form a majority coalition.

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Democrat Party boss, Suthep Tuagsuban, sent a letter to the speaker of the lower house of parliament asking for a new session, asserting that his party would have the support of two-thirds of MPs. Four minor parties have defected from the former ruling coalition which was lead by the now-defunct People’s Power Party (PPP).

Thailand has been operating without a government or prime minister since last Tuesday, when a court dissolved the PPP People’s Power Party (PPP) and banned its leader, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, from participating in politics for five years.

The PPP has reformed under the new name Puea Thai (For Thais) Party, and also claims to have enough support to form another government.

Representatives from the small parties confirmed that they now support the Democrat Party, but the votes have not been committed and last-minute deal making could still determine which party takes power.

Puea Thai has not yet named its candidate for prime minister.

Usually, the King’s permission would be needed to open a session of parliament, but the King has been sick, missing his birthday party for the first time in his 60-year reign. The royal family assured reporters that the King was feeling better on Sunday, though he was not fully recovered.

Activists from the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), who called off months of protests after last week’s court decisions, threatened to take to the streets again if they did not approve of the new prime minister.