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Thai Court Dissolves Ruling Party, Boots PM

Court dissolves ruling parties in fraud case, triggers scramble to form new government

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 2, 2008 3:30 AM CST

(Newser) – A Thai court has ordered the country's ruling coalition parties to be dissolved and Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawt and other leaders immediately banned from politics for five years after finding them guilty of electoral fraud, Reuters reports. Wongsawat has accepted the ruling but it's unclear whether his ouster will be enough to ease tensions in the capital. Anti-government protesters who have occupied Bangkok's two airports for a week erupted in cheers upon hearing the news.

Coalition members not ousted by the ruling have vowed to create a new party and form another government. Parliament must chose a new prime minister within 30 days. In the meantime, Deputy Prime Minister Chaowarat Chandeerakul will serve as interim head of the government. The court president said the ruling was meant to "to set a political standard and an example,” adding that “dishonest political parties undermine Thailand's democratic system.”

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (2)]

Pro-government demonstrators leave the administrative court after a rally in Bangkok Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

People's Alliance for Democracy protesters celebrate the court ruling at the besieged Suvarnabhumi international airport in Bangkok today. (AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

An anti-government activist surveys the damage today after an explosion during a protest at Don Muang domestic airport in Bangkok. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

Thailand's Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat prays at a Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai province, northern Thailand yesterday, (AP Photo/Wichai Taprieu)

Thai police officers watch anti-government protesters leaving the constitution court to another protest site Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)

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It now seems that violence cannot be avoided. Some even predict what has been unthinkable for 700 years: a civil war. - Bangkok Post editorial

We will all move to a new party, Puea Thai, and seek a vote for a new prime minister on December 8. - People's Power Party MP Jatuporn Prompan

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Thai Court Dissolves Ruling Party, Boots PM