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.