BANGKOK – Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has proposed to hold an election on November 14th under a “reconciliation” plan aimed at ending a two-month political crisis that has paralysed Bangkok and killed 27 people.
Mr Abhisit, backed by Thailand’s royalist establishment, rejected a proposal last month by the mostly rural and urban poor “red-shirt” protesters to end their occupation of Bangkok’s main commercial district in return for elections within three months.
He had previously said he would call a poll in December.
The protesters, who broadly back ousted former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, plan to discuss the proposal today.
Jatuporn Prompan, a protest leader, said he was encouraged by the offer but it contrasted with recent military and government statements warning the red shirts to end their campaign.
Analysts say both sides want to be in power in September for two critical events: a reshuffle of the powerful military and police forces, and the passing of the budget.
If Mr Thaksin’s camp prevails and is governing at the time of the military reshuffle, analysts expect the ousting of generals allied with the royalist elite, a prospect royalists fear could diminish the power of the monarchy.
“The game plan is for the government to make it appear this offer is reasonable. If the red shirts reject it, they’ll be seen as the unreasonable party and that will then give the government a chance to go after them,” said Roberto Herrera-Lim, an analyst at risk consultancy Eurasia Group.
Mr Abhisit is under intense pressure to end the political stalemate that has choked off tourism, sparked foreign selling in Thai stocks and prompted the International Crisis Group to warn Thailand could slide into an “undeclared civil war”. – (Reuters)