World | Other World Stories

Thai court rules to disband ruling party, Somchai out

Thailand's Constitutional Court dissolved the ruling party on Tuesday, forcing the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and 36 party leaders and banning them from politics for five years.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 10:02 December 2, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Crowds at Suvarnabhumi Airport erupted in cheers after the ruling was announced.
  • Image Credit: AP

Bangkok: Thailand's Constitutional Court dissolved the ruling party on Tuesday, forcing the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and 36 party leaders and banning them from politics for five years.

The court found the People's Power Party and its executive members, including the prime minister, guilty of electoral fraud.

"The party tried to gain power by using unlawful ways," said Judge Chat Chalaworn in reading the decision to disband the party for vote buying in last year's election.

He added that the "court has decided to dissolve the party to set a political standard and an example."

Chat said "dishonest political parties undermine Thailand's democratic system."

Crowds at Suvarnabhumi Airport, which has been occupied for eight days by anti-government protesters demanding Somchai's resignation, erupted in cheers after the ruling was announced.

  • Rate this article
  • Average reader rating (0 votes) 0 Stars
Tools

Emailing an article to friend is a simple way to share a news item. Your friend will receive an email with your name and email address as well any personal message you choose to send.

The information you provide on this page will not be used to send unsolicited emails.

This service is not intended to encourage spam, and action may be taken against individuals who maliciously enter personal details of another individual.

Share this article

Related Articles

  1. Thailand airport blast kills one

    Protester killed in bomb blast at Bangkok airport

  2. Thai protesters consolidate grip

    Thai protesters consolidate grip

  3. Protesters bring in reinforcements

    Protesters bring in reinforcements

  4. Thai protesters leave premier's office

    Thai protesters leave premier's office

    Thai protesters vacate premier's office to reinforce airport blockade

  5. Protesters ignore police order to end Thai airport siege

    Protesters ignore police order to end Thai airport siege

  6. Thailand grenade attack injures scores

    Thailand grenade attack injures scores of people

  7. UAE residents return from Thailand

    UAE residents return from Thailand

    Hundreds of stranded UAE residents return from Thailand

More from World

Gulf News
Popular in World

More from world

News Editor's choice