Thai emergency lifted, search for new PM goes on

Thailand's acting prime minister lifted a state of emergency in Bangkok yesterday, 12 days after it was enforced in response to violent clashes between pro- and anti-government groups.

"The level of violence has eased, and we see that if we continue to have the state of emergency, it will damage the country. Therefore, I ... announce the end of the state of emergency," Somchai Wongsawat told a news conference.

Although tension has fallen, the political crisis is far from over.

The ruling coalition has not agreed on who should replace Samak Sundaravej, who was forced by the courts to resign as prime minister last week.

Parliament is to vote for a new prime minister on Wednesday.

Anti-government protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PDA) have said they will not accept anyone from Samak's People Power Party (PPP).

The lifting of emergency rule came after Somchai met army chief Anupong Paojinda and police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan.

Emergency rule had little real impact because the army had refused to use force to evict protesters who have been occupying the prime minister's official compound for nearly three weeks.

Anupong had called for it to be lifted because it was causing damage to the community and the economy.

It had hurt Thailand's reputation abroad and deterred tourists, already put off by the violence and by the airport disruption caused by anti-government protesters.

Internal revolt

The government has been paralyzed since anti-government street protesters stepped up their campaign in late August.

A series of adverse court rulings also undermined Samak's government. He was forced to step down on Sept 9 after the Constitutional Court ruled there was a conflict of interest when he was paid to host a TV cooking show while being premier.

Samak could have been renominated but he withdrew his bid for a new term after a revolt inside the PPP.

The PPP, the main party in the ruling six-party coalition, says it will nominate one of its members for the premiership, putting it on a collision course with the PAD.

Agencies

(China Daily 09/15/2008 page8)