Thailand charter changes bring elections closer
05:55 AM Feb 12, 2011
BANGKOK - Thailand's Parliament passed constitutional amendments including changes to electoral laws on Friday, bringing the divided country closer to elections as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva faces more anti-government protests.
Nationalist "Yellow Shirt" protesters rallied outside the Government House on Friday, threatening a prolonged protest if the government fails to revoke an agreement with Cambodia aimed at solving a long-running border dispute.
Mr Abhisit, whose term comes to an end in December, has said that he planned to dissolve Parliament and hold elections by the end of June, if three conditions are met: Economic recovery, completion of constitutional amendments and political stability.
This will reduce the number of directly elected members from the vote-rich and pro-opposition north-east to the advantage of Mr Abhisit's Democrat Party, which is stronger in Bangkok and the south.
Another change does away with multi-seat constituencies, which will help small parties allied with Mr Abhisit by making it easier for them to target their efforts and win more seats. Agencies
Nationalist "Yellow Shirt" protesters rallied outside the Government House on Friday, threatening a prolonged protest if the government fails to revoke an agreement with Cambodia aimed at solving a long-running border dispute.
Mr Abhisit, whose term comes to an end in December, has said that he planned to dissolve Parliament and hold elections by the end of June, if three conditions are met: Economic recovery, completion of constitutional amendments and political stability.
Supporters of the 'Yellow Shirt' People's Alliance for Democracy during a rally at the Royal Plaza in Bangkok on Friday. REUTERS
This will reduce the number of directly elected members from the vote-rich and pro-opposition north-east to the advantage of Mr Abhisit's Democrat Party, which is stronger in Bangkok and the south.
Another change does away with multi-seat constituencies, which will help small parties allied with Mr Abhisit by making it easier for them to target their efforts and win more seats. Agencies
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