World | Other World Stories
Thai opposition says it is ready to form government
Thailand's opposition Democrat Party warned yesterday that a speech by exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra could re-ignite political turmoil, while expressing confidence that the party can form a new government next week.
- AP
- Published: 00:20 December 13, 2008
Bangkok: Thailand's opposition Democrat Party warned yesterday that a speech by exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra could re-ignite political turmoil, while expressing confidence that the party can form a new government next week.
Thaksin - still powerful despite being ousted in a 2006 coup for alleged corruption - hopes to head off a government led by his rivals with a telephone address to tens of thousands of supporters today.
Thailand's Parliament is to meet on Monday to elect a new prime minister amid hopes that it will put an end to chaos which has paralysed the government for six months and climaxed in a week long siege of Bangkok's two airports.
Nattawut Sai-kua, a government spokesman and an organiser of today's event, said Thaksin would accuse the powerful military and other forces of intervening in politics and destroying the democratic process.
"They are trying to fix who should be the next prime minister," he said.
The Democrats say they have enlisted enough lawmakers from other parties to form a parliamentary majority and name their leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, the prime minister of a new government.
More from Other World Stories
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
