Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/thai-pm-dissolves-parliament-calls-for-elections-in-response-to-sustained-protests Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Thai PM dissolves parliament, calls for elections in response to sustained protests Nation Dec 9, 2013 11:08 AM EDT Anti-government protests filled the streets around Government House in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday. Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The Thai prime minister announced Monday she will dissolve parliament and call for an election due to continued protests in Bangkok, BBC reports. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra won by a considerable margin in the 2011 elections, but protesters say the government is being run by her brother, ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra. Early Monday, 150,000 protesters mobilized in the streets of Bangkok. “The government does not want any loss of life,” Yingluck said. “At this stage, when there are many people opposed to the government from many groups, the best way is to give back the power to the Thai people and hold an election,” she said in her televised statement. “So the Thai people will decide.” Elections will be held Feb. 2, 2014. Yingluck’s Pheu Thai party, supported by the rural and poor population, is seen as likely to win an election. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
Anti-government protests filled the streets around Government House in Bangkok, Thailand on Monday. Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images The Thai prime minister announced Monday she will dissolve parliament and call for an election due to continued protests in Bangkok, BBC reports. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra won by a considerable margin in the 2011 elections, but protesters say the government is being run by her brother, ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra. Early Monday, 150,000 protesters mobilized in the streets of Bangkok. “The government does not want any loss of life,” Yingluck said. “At this stage, when there are many people opposed to the government from many groups, the best way is to give back the power to the Thai people and hold an election,” she said in her televised statement. “So the Thai people will decide.” Elections will be held Feb. 2, 2014. Yingluck’s Pheu Thai party, supported by the rural and poor population, is seen as likely to win an election. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now