Bangkok, April 12 (DPA) Thai army chief General Anupong Paojinda Monday raised the possibility of a dissolution of parliament as a means to ending a conflict between the government and demonstrators that claimed at least 21 lives over the weekend.
“If we cannot find a political solution to this conflict, I think we need to dissolve parliament,” Anupong said in a televised message.
On Saturday the government of Prime Minster Abhisit Vejjajiva ordered troops to crack down on thousands of red-shirt protesters who had occupied the Phan Fa intersection in the old part of the capital for almost a month, calling for the dissolution of parliament and new elections.
The troops were beaten back by the red shirts, some of whom were armed. At least five soldiers died in the melee.
Abhisit’s government has enjoyed the support of the politically influential military since it came to power in December 2008.
Anupong’s suggested dissolution of parliament could further undermine Abhisit’s hold on power, which has already been severely shaken by his administration’s failure to disperse protesters from the streets of Bangkok for the past month, analysts said.
