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BANGKOK: There was more political uncertainty in Thailand on Tuesday after the Constitutional Court dissolved the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and two of its coalition partners over fraud in the 2007 election.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has also been stripped of his post. But the verdict falls short of defusing the crisis that is gripping the country.
PPP, which is the reincarnation of Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai, is now history. Judges said they had no choice but to uphold a standard of transparent politics by banning the party and its members for five years.
The dissolution of the PPP has done little to ease tension on either side of the Thai political divide. The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has occupied both Bangkok airports for one week, said they would not accept a Somchai administration in any form, despite its current caretaker status.
Pro-government supporters, recognisable by their red shirts, said the court's decision was simply a "judicial" coup rather than a military one. Hundreds of them had gathered early to surround the Constitutional Court, forcing judges to read the verdict from another court, in the outskirts of Bangkok.
"The elected government and our former prime minister (Samak) have been dismissed, but those who commit treason like the PAD are consistently released. It's so absurd. I think new elections won't make the situation any better," one pro-government supporter said.
"There won't be peace after this. As long as the court doesn't act like a real court and doesn't help the situation, our country will not get out of this chaotic mess," another added.
Over at the PAD-occupied Suvarnabhumi Airport, the news was met with cheers. But the ex-PPP MPs are expected to regroup under a new party banner and stay in the government, a move which will further fuel the PAD's protests.
A parliamentary vote next week will determine a new prime minister. But before that, King Bhumibol Adulyadej will address the nation on his birthday this Friday, and his subjects will be listening for wise words to heal his fractured kingdom.
- CNA/so
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