Thai PM dissolves Parliament, elections by Feb 7

Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (pic) today announced that she will dissolve the parliament to make way for fresh elections amid anti-government protests.

A general election is to be held within 60 days from today, according The Election Commission(EC) in a report in Bangkok Post.

Sixty days from today (Dec 9) is Feb 7, 2014, a Friday, but EC member Sodsri Sattayatham has suggested Feb 2, a Sunday, instead.

"I expect there will be a general election within 60 days, as stated in the constitution," Sodsri was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, CNN quoted a government spokesperson as saying that Yingluck may not be her party’s choice to run as candidate.

"I don't know whether the Pheu Thai Party will still vote (for) her to run again or not," said spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi.

Yingluck this morning announced the dissolution of the Parliament in a bid to quell protests that has plagued Thailand for weeks.

During her televised announcement, Yingluck said that fresh polls will be held 'as soon as possible'.

Despite her move, protesters numbering some 100,000 to 150,000 continued a 'judgement day' protest today in streets of Bangkok with the intended goal to storm the Government House.

The protesters, led by Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister for the Democrat Party, are calling for government’s power to be transferred to an unelected “people’s council”.

Yesterday, the opposition Democrat Party said that its members would resign en masse from Parliament as they could no longer work with the government.