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Top Thai court bans ruling party Top Thai court bans ruling party
(about 1 hour later)
Thailand's constitutional court has dissolved the governing People Power Party and two of its coalition partners for fraud during the last election.Thailand's constitutional court has dissolved the governing People Power Party and two of its coalition partners for fraud during the last election.
The parties' leaders, including Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, were banned from politics for five years. The parties' leaders, including Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, have been banned from politics for five years.
But under the constitution, most MPs can keep their seats under another party name, and have promised to form another government. It is unclear if the ruling ends a months-long political crisis, since other coalition MPs have vowed to form another government under a new name.
Earlier, an anti-government protester was killed at a Bangkok airport.Earlier, an anti-government protester was killed at a Bangkok airport.
Local television reported that a grenade had been fired at Don Mueang airport, the capital's domestic hub, which has been occupied by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) since last week.Local television reported that a grenade had been fired at Don Mueang airport, the capital's domestic hub, which has been occupied by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) since last week.
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Demonstrations outside Thailand’s constitutional court
Protesters at Don Mueang and at Bangkok's main Suvarnabhumi international airport, who have brought the country's tourist industry to a standstill, cheered when they heard the news about the court's ruling.
PAD supporters accuse Mr Somchai's administration of being corrupt and hostile to the much-revered monarchy, and want the entire government to resign.PAD supporters accuse Mr Somchai's administration of being corrupt and hostile to the much-revered monarchy, and want the entire government to resign.
They also accuse Mr Somchai of being a proxy of his brother-in-law, exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.They also accuse Mr Somchai of being a proxy of his brother-in-law, exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Mr Somchai said he accepted the court's verdict.Mr Somchai said he accepted the court's verdict.
'Political standard''Political standard'
Earlier on Tuesday, a protest by hundreds of red-shirted government supporters forced the constitutional court to move its final hearing to Bangkok's administrative courthouse. Earlier on Tuesday, a protest by hundreds of red-shirted, pro-government supporters forced the constitutional court to move its final hearing to Bangkok's administrative courthouse.
After fewer than three hours in session, the head of the nine-judge panel, Chat Chonlaworn, announced that the court had found the People Power Party (PPP), the Machima Thipatai party and the Chart Thai party guilty of vote-buying, and unanimously agreed to disband them.After fewer than three hours in session, the head of the nine-judge panel, Chat Chonlaworn, announced that the court had found the People Power Party (PPP), the Machima Thipatai party and the Chart Thai party guilty of vote-buying, and unanimously agreed to disband them.
On Monday, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said he would not resign
Dozens of the PPP's executive members, including Mr Somchai, were also found guilty of personal involvement and banned from politics for five years.Dozens of the PPP's executive members, including Mr Somchai, were also found guilty of personal involvement and banned from politics for five years.
Judge Chat said that he hoped the ruling would "set a political standard".Judge Chat said that he hoped the ruling would "set a political standard".
Outside the court, where a large crowd of pro-government activists had gathered after learning of the relocation, there was a furious reaction.Outside the court, where a large crowd of pro-government activists had gathered after learning of the relocation, there was a furious reaction.
Prime Minister Somchai's supporters accused the judges of sabotaging democracy and going against the people's will.Prime Minister Somchai's supporters accused the judges of sabotaging democracy and going against the people's will.
Despite the presence of a large number of riot police, the protesters soon blocked all access to the building and vowed not to let the judges out.
One former minister said members of the PPP who had escaped the political ban imposed on its leaders would regroup and form another coalition government.One former minister said members of the PPP who had escaped the political ban imposed on its leaders would regroup and form another coalition government.
"The verdict comes as no surprise to all of us," Jakrapob Penkair told the Reuters news agency. "But our members are determined to move on, and we will form a government again out of the majority that we believe we still have.""The verdict comes as no surprise to all of us," Jakrapob Penkair told the Reuters news agency. "But our members are determined to move on, and we will form a government again out of the majority that we believe we still have."
Other PPP members said they would seek a parliamentary vote for a new prime minister on 8 December.Other PPP members said they would seek a parliamentary vote for a new prime minister on 8 December.
The BBC's Jonathan Head, outside the courthouse, says the court's ruling will provoke anger right throughout the heartland of the government's supporters in the north and north-east. Under the constitution, the disbanded parties are legally allowed to re-form under different names and form a new coalition, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.
Divisions exposed
The court's ruling will provoke anger right throughout the heartland of the government's supporters in the north and north-east, says our correspondent.
The ruling may not entirely appease the PAD, especially if the governing coalition reforms under new leadership.
There are deep divisions between the PAD - backed by the Bangkok business elite and middle classes with support from some elements of the army and the palace - and the government's supporters in the countryside.
The anti-government protests have paralysed Thailand's politics for months.
Protesters occupied a central government complex for more than three months, only leaving on Monday to join the demonstrations at the airports.
At least 100,000 foreign visitors have been unable to leave and the country's economy has been dealt a severe blow.
Shortly after the ruling, the government announced it was postponing a summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, due for mid-December, until March.Shortly after the ruling, the government announced it was postponing a summit of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, due for mid-December, until March.