Parties Reject Abhisit’s Reform Plan

BANGKOK, May 4 (TNA) - Several parties seem to show that they do not accept a plan aimed at solving political crisis facing Thailand, proposed by Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the major opposition Democrat Party, on Saturday, saying that the idea was made at a wrong time and wrong place, and cannot rid the problem. Mr. Abhisit, a former prime minister, proposed his plan following talks with several concerned parties earlier. Under the proposal, a fresh general election now scheduled to be held on July 20 must be postponed, the current caretaker government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra must resign in order to pave ways for an appointment of a “neutral government” by Senate speaker to administer the country while national reform is carried out. Election Commissioner Somchai Srisuthiyakorn commented that Mr. Abhisit’s proposal asking for a postponement of the fresh general election came late because his office had already discussed and agreed with the caretaker government in fixing the election date. It is the responsibility of politicians and the caretaker government now to decide whether the election date should be postponed from July 20, said Mr. Somchai. If they agree not to change the date, the Election Commission would forward the draft of the Royal Decree on organising the poll on such date to the government this Tuesday. Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and also Foreign Affairs Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul opined that some of Mr. Abhisit’s proposals looked similar to demands made by anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC). Mr. Surapong said that he personally believed it is impossible to have a “neutral prime minister and temporary cabinet” while Mr. Abhisit’s idea is also undemocratic. Appointed senator Kamnoon Sithisamarn commented that the proposal is difficult to implement while many would also believe that it is in disguise to demands made by PDRC. PDRC spokesman Ekanat Prompan told a press conference that Mr. Abhisit ought to confer with Miss Yingluck and her caretaker government first, but he personally believed that the government would not accept the proposal. PDRC protesters will continue their move with the goal to oust the government. Jatuporn Phromphan, chairman of the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), flatly rejected the proposal, saying it is undemocratic and his movement would not accept it. (TNA)