Pressure on Thai govt eases as rival backs off

Pressure on Thai govt eases as rival backs off

BANGKOK (AFP): Thailand's Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai won a
reprieve on Thursday from intense pressure to call an early
election, as an opposition party backed down from its threats to
resign from parliament.

The Social Action Party (SAP) had threatened to join the New
Aspiration Party (NAP) which staged a mass resignation Wednesday
as parliament convened for a new session.

Their departure would have severely embarrassed the
government, which is determined to pass budget and vital election
legislation before November, when its term officially ends.

But SAP party factions could not agree on whether to quit
parliament and join the NAP's bid to force a snap poll.

"We have postponed reviewing our party stance to July 4 as
there are different ideas on the issue," said secretary general
Rawee Hiranchote.

Chuan condemned the NAP resignations on Wednesday and vowed to
resist pressure to dissolve parliament.

But the SAP's climbdown came after the ruling coalition
softened its stance Thursday, indicating it would complete
election legislation reforms swiftly so that a poll could be held
as soon as possible.

"If all the parties work together this amendment process could
be finished quickly," said government whip Jurin Laksanawisit.

The legislation sets out new conditions for holding national
elections and aims to remove loopholes that complicate the
polling process.

Under the old laws, there have been four rounds of voting for
the upper house Senate this year and it is feared the lower house
election could be even more unwieldy.

"By August the election laws could be amended," said newly
appointed House Speaker Bhichai Rattakul, deputy leader of
Chuan's Democrats which lead the coalition.

Rawee reiterated that the SAP, the second biggest opposition
group with 19 MPs, would not support the budget legislation which
was tabled on Wednesday.

Finance Minister Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda said Wednesday that
Thailand's recovery could be hampered if an early election was
called and the budget could not go through.

"If the budget bill is not passed it will effect the economy
which very much depends on government spending," he said.

The government must dissolve the parliament by mid-November.
Voting can be held up to 60 days after the dissolution.