Thai PM names election day

2 May 2011

Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva confirmed that Parliament will be dissolved on Friday. He told reporters that the final meeting of the government’s inner cabinet will be held today and that a general election has been pencilled in for 26 June.

The PM spoke to media representatives at an inspection ceremony at Bang Sue subway station in Bangkok. A government spokesman added that a royal endorsement would be requested for the dissolution.

Mr Abhisit said he had tentatively arranged the poll date with the Election Commission. He said that the election would go ahead despite the current problems on the Thai-Cambodian border, as the army had the situation under control.

The PM also said on his weekly television programme Having Confidence in Thailand that the cabinet meeting will deal with any outstanding matters that need urgent attention. He also vowed that his administration would not push through any contracts without the correct authorisation.

Once Parliament has been dissolved, the Democrat led government is a caretaker one until the election and is not permitted to award contracts. The prime minister also said advertising and media time would be allotted equally to all political parties during the forthcoming election campaign.

Mr Abhisit said he had not been forced into calling an early election and had never intended to see out his full term as prime minister. He said he had initially taken the post in an abnormal political situation.

Following a period of political unrest in Thailand, Mr Abhisit assumed the premiership on 17 December 2008. The appointment came about as a result of a new coalition as the new PM’s Democrat Party had not gained a majority in elections the previous December.

Tags: Thai PM election