Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announces dissolution of parliament, to stand in upcoming election

Updated

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Thai protestors continue to fight (ABC News)

Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has announced the dissolution of the country's parliament, amid ongoing anti-government protests.

Ms Yingluck says she will remain as interim prime minister ahead of the election which is likely to be held on February 2.

"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."

Ms Yingluck's party also says she will run in the upcoming general election.

"She will definitely run as she has worked with the party all along," the head of the ruling Puea Thai Party Jarupong Ruangsuwan said.

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Tense political situation in Thailand (ABC News)

Mass protests

Ms Yingluck has faced more than a month of rallies by demonstrators, sometimes numbering in their tens of thousands, who want to suspend the country's democracy in favour of an unelected "People's Council".

Thai opposition lawmakers resigned en masse from parliament Sunday, deepening the kingdom's political crisis.

Thai protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban says the dissolution of parliament is not the goal of the protests, and they will continue.

"The movement will keep on fighting," he said.

"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."

Thai opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva says the dissolution of parliament is "the first step" towards solving the country's political crisis.

When asked if he would take part in the election, Mr Abhisit said, "Today, we march. I will walk with the people to Government House."

The protesters are united in their loathing for Ms Yingluck's brother Thaksin Shinawatra, a billionaire telecoms tycoon turned populist politician who was ousted by royalist generals in a coup seven years ago.

His overthrow ushered in years of political turmoil and sometimes bloody street protests by the royalist "Yellow Shirts" and the rival pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts".

Tensions remain high in the kingdom following several days of street clashes as police used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets against rock-throwing demonstrators.

Biggest protests since 2010

The unrest has left five people dead and more than 200 injured and the fear is that the fresh protests could bring fresh violence.

Demonstrators and police have observed a temporary truce since Wednesday for the 86th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is treated as a near-deity by many Thais.

Pro-Thaksin parties have won every election in more than a decade.

The demonstrations were triggered by an amnesty bill, since dropped by Ms Yingluck's ruling party, which opponents feared would have cleared the way for her brother Thaksin's return.

They are the biggest and deadliest street demonstrations since 2010, when dozens of people were killed in a military crackdown on mass pro-Thaksin Red Shirt rallies in Bangkok.

ABC/Wires

Topics: activism-and-lobbying, world-politics, thailand, asia

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