Elections unlikely till end of the year as Thailand limps back to normalcy

BANGKOK - After days of political unrest that ended recently and saw Bangkok under siege by Opposition Red Shirt protestors, Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said the country is unlikely to go to polls until the end of the year.

He maintained that the possibility of early elections is still being considered.

Significantly, he also said that he will cooperate with any enquiry into his management of the Red Shirt standoff that saw over 60 people dead in its final days. He added that he will take responsibility for his actions if found guilty.

“I’m ready to be investigated in my role in handling the red shirt protest and would take accountability if I’m found guilty,” the Bangkok Post quoted Vejjajiva, as saying.

The statements were made after Vejjajiva’s meetings with foreign dignitaries and trade representatives.

The interaction centred around three focal points viz. the recent political unrest and the government’s handling of it, immediate relief measures for people affected by the protests and security measures, and the reconciliation plan, the paper reports.

He urged the diplomats to be supportive as international confidence is essential at this stage with Thailand limping back to normalcy. He also assured them that the protestors were not terrorists but ordinary people.

Following the briefing Britain revoked its previous travel advisory but replaced it with a new one asking travellers to be cautious. (ANI)