Thai Parliament Dissolved; Elections Scheduled in July
Prime Minister Prem Tinsulonanda dissolved Parliament today and called new elections hours after his supporters and opposition teamed up to defeat a key finance bill--a de facto vote of no confidence.
A government spokesman said the elections will be held July 27. The new Parliament will then choose a new prime minister to replace Prem, one of the most popular Thai leaders of the post-World War II era.
The political crisis came during the opening session of Parliament as 41 members of the Social Action Party, the largest pro-government group, teamed with opposition parties to narrowly defeat one of nine finance bills.
Under the Thai political system, defeat of a bill is considered a virtual no-confidence vote. The prime minister must resign or dissolve Parliament and hold general elections within 90 days after such a defeat.
Political analysts said the Social Action Party revolt appeared to reflect self-interests as much as dissatisfaction with Prem, the longest-serving prime minister in the history of Thai civilian government.
Prem’s government has come under increasing criticism as Thailand’s agriculture-based economy suffered because of weak food export markets.
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