Thai court rules to disband ruling party, Somchai out

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.