Democrat suggests House meeting postponed due to rally

BANGKOK, 14 March 2010 (NNT) – The ruling Democrat Party has requested House Speaker Chai Chidchob to postpone the upcoming parliamentary meeting session on 16 March as the situation is still uncalled for.

Speaking at the Democrat Party Headquarters, Deputy Democrat Spokesperson MD Warong Dechakitwikrom said that convening a meeting at this time could provoke the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters. He said the protesters might surround the House, and that would exacerbate the situation. He said the rally might not end yet on 16 March based on an evaluation made by the war room of the Democrat Party.

MD Warong stated besides that it would be difficult for MPs of the ruling Democrat Party to attend the scheduled parliamentary meeting on the day.

In response to the demand by the UDD to dissolve the House, MD Warong said that an election would not guarantee an end to the conflict. He reasoned that holding an election under the 2007 Constitution might not be satisfactory for both the UDD and the opposition Puea Thai Party, which had been calling for a revival of the 1997 Constitution. He said all sides should turn to help amend the constitution prior to an election.