The World - News from May 2, 1986

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda dissolved Parliament and called for new elections after legislators rejected a finance package in a what amounted to a vote of no confidence. Prem scheduled general elections for July 27, nine months ahead of time, according to a government spokesman. The political crisis came during the opening session of the 324-seat Parliament after dissidents in the ruling coalition sided with the opposition to reject a bill that would have raised taxes on gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. Under the Thai system, such a defeat is considered a virtual no-confidence vote.