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Thai PM Yingluck to dissolve parliament and call elections Thai PM Yingluck to dissolve parliament and call elections
(about 2 hours later)
Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says she will dissolve parliament and call an election, after sustained protests in the capital, Bangkok.Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says she will dissolve parliament and call an election, after sustained protests in the capital, Bangkok.
The move followed the resignation of all opposition MPs from parliament on Sunday, and a planned march on Government House on Monday.The move followed the resignation of all opposition MPs from parliament on Sunday, and a planned march on Government House on Monday.
Ms Yingluck won elections in 2011.Ms Yingluck won elections in 2011.
However the protesters allege her government is controlled by ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and have vowed to continue the demonstrations.However the protesters allege her government is controlled by ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, and have vowed to continue the demonstrations.
The announcement came as Ms Yingluck addressed the nation on television.The announcement came as Ms Yingluck addressed the nation on television.
"The government does not want any loss of life," she said."The government does not want any loss of life," she said.
"At this stage, when there are many people opposed to the government from many groups, the best way is to give back the power to the Thai people and hold an election," she said. "So the Thai people will decide.""At this stage, when there are many people opposed to the government from many groups, the best way is to give back the power to the Thai people and hold an election," she said. "So the Thai people will decide."
No date was given for the polls but Ms Yingluck said they would be held "as soon as possible".No date was given for the polls but Ms Yingluck said they would be held "as soon as possible".
In the general election in July 2011, Ms Yingluck's Pheu Thai party won a majority, with 265 seats to the Democrat Party's 159 seats.
'Thaksin regime''Thaksin regime'
Under Thailand's electoral regulations polls must be held within two months of parliament being dissolved, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok reports.Under Thailand's electoral regulations polls must be held within two months of parliament being dissolved, the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok reports.
But it is still unlikely to satisfy many of the protesters, who have argued that the entire democratic system needs to be changed, and that Ms Yingluck and her family must leave the country, our correspondent adds.But it is still unlikely to satisfy many of the protesters, who have argued that the entire democratic system needs to be changed, and that Ms Yingluck and her family must leave the country, our correspondent adds.
Ms Yingluck's party draws considerable support from mainly poor and rural areas of Thailand, and would be seen as well-placed to win an election.Ms Yingluck's party draws considerable support from mainly poor and rural areas of Thailand, and would be seen as well-placed to win an election.
Anti-government protesters, who have been calling for her government to be replaced with an unelected "People's Council", say the rallies will continue.Anti-government protesters, who have been calling for her government to be replaced with an unelected "People's Council", say the rallies will continue.
Protester leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who was formerly a senior opposition politician, said: "The movement will keep on fighting. Our goal is to uproot the Thaksin regime."Protester leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who was formerly a senior opposition politician, said: "The movement will keep on fighting. Our goal is to uproot the Thaksin regime."
"Although the House is dissolved and there will be new elections, the Thaksin regime is still in place," he added."Although the House is dissolved and there will be new elections, the Thaksin regime is still in place," he added.
Tens of thousands of protesters are out on the streets of Bangkok, marching towards Government House from several different directions.Tens of thousands of protesters are out on the streets of Bangkok, marching towards Government House from several different directions.
More than 60 schools in Bangkok have closed as a precautionary measure, AP news agency reports.More than 60 schools in Bangkok have closed as a precautionary measure, AP news agency reports.
"Police are unarmed, with only shields and batons. We will not use tear gas, or if we have no choice, its use will be limited," Interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan said on Sunday."Police are unarmed, with only shields and batons. We will not use tear gas, or if we have no choice, its use will be limited," Interior Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan said on Sunday.
There have been no reports so far of violence in Monday's protests. However, violent clashes broke out during last week's protests, with five people killed.There have been no reports so far of violence in Monday's protests. However, violent clashes broke out during last week's protests, with five people killed.
More than 90 people died during the political turmoil of 2010, when thousands of supporters of ousted leader Mr Thaksin, who is also Ms Yingluck's brother, occupied parts of Bangkok. They were eventually cleared by the army.More than 90 people died during the political turmoil of 2010, when thousands of supporters of ousted leader Mr Thaksin, who is also Ms Yingluck's brother, occupied parts of Bangkok. They were eventually cleared by the army.
Mr Thaksin is in self-imposed exile after he was overthrown in a military army coup in 2006 and convicted of corruption. However, he is still considered influential in Thai politics.Mr Thaksin is in self-imposed exile after he was overthrown in a military army coup in 2006 and convicted of corruption. However, he is still considered influential in Thai politics.
The latest row began when Ms Yingluck's government attempted to introduce a controversial political amnesty bill, which critics said would have allowed Mr Thaksin to return to Thailand without having to serve time in jail.The latest row began when Ms Yingluck's government attempted to introduce a controversial political amnesty bill, which critics said would have allowed Mr Thaksin to return to Thailand without having to serve time in jail.
The bill sparked massive opposition and brought tens of thousands of protesters to the streets.The bill sparked massive opposition and brought tens of thousands of protesters to the streets.
It was rejected by the Senate, but anti-government demonstrations continued, as protesters called for the government to resign.It was rejected by the Senate, but anti-government demonstrations continued, as protesters called for the government to resign.