Home  News Thaksin: I'm Retreating |
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Thursday, 06 April 2006 |
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resigned live on television yesterday, keeping a promise made before Sunday's election that he would resign if his party wins less than 50 percent of votes.
"I'm retreating and not accepting the post of prime minister... We have no time to quarrel... I want to see Thai people unite and forget what has happened," said Thaksin before turning teary-eyed to be consoled by his family.
After a consultation with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thaksin said he will continue as interim prime minister until a new leader is appointed. So far, the billionaire PM has identified four condidates to take his place. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak seems the most likely successor, while outgoing speaker of the house, Bhokin Bhalakula, is another choice.
The April 2 snap elections were called three years before schedule to abate political turmoil after protests erupted when Thaksin sold his family's telecommunications business for a tax-free US$1.9 billion.
Anti-government rallies caused massive traffic jams in Bangkok, affected the stock market and currency and also raised long-term fears about the strength of the economy.
The 56-year-old leader, who was the country's most popular prime minister since the first democratic elections in 1932, declared a win on April 3 with some 60 percent of the vote.
But the three main opposition parties boycotted the Sunday elections, making TRT the only major participating party in the vote with 70 percent of seats uncontested.
Thirty-nine parliamentary seats remain unoccupied out of 500, and these posts must be filled before a new leader can be chosen. Thai election law also deems that parliament must must meet within 30 days of a general election.
Election Commission Chairman Wassana Permlarp said by-elections are scheduled for April 23 in 38 of the empty seats, which all lie in the Democrat stronghold of southern Thailand.
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