Banharn opposes early House dissolution

BANGKOK, 11 February 2011 (NNT) – Ex-Prime Minister and Chart Thai Pattana Chief Advisor Banharn Silapa-archa deems an early general election arrangement not beneficial as long as the Thai-Cambodian border issue has not yet been solved.

After a meeting of core figures of the coalition Chart Thai Pattana Party, Mr Banharn was asked for his comment on the recent announcement of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the parliament in the middle of this year. He said that the matter rested solely on the prime minister.

Nevertheless, the former prime minister expressed his opinion that the current situation in the kingdom remained serious. He cited as example the border conflict which, he said, would still not be eliminated although Prime Minister Abhisit had dissolved the House.

Mr Banharn opined that it would be better if the election took place after the situation in the kingdom returned to peace and order first. He also voiced his party’s readiness to take part in the new election.

In addition, the Chart Thai Pattana chief advisor asked all sides to take the national interest into consideration because the country was currently in crisis, and he did not wish to see the situation to be exacerbated.