Thai election planned if peace holds

BANGKOK - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday he plans to hold an election in the first half of this year, providing peaceful polls can be guaranteed.

Abhisit's term expires at the end of the year, and he insists he wants to dissolve parliament before then, although he has been vague about the exact timing.

He has long said polls could only be held only if three conditions were be met: the economy is in recovery, the constitution is amended and peace prevails.