In an apparent attempt to resolve the political dilemma over the
snap election, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Tuesday
that the April 2 poll could be postponed, but the opposition
responded with "it's too late."
Thaksin told reporters that he is willing to meet with opposition
leader Abhisit Vejjajiva. "Whatever date the election will be held
is up to the Election Commission. I am ready to talk to the
opposition leader."
"If the political parties do not want to participate in the
election and the date is the condition, I am willing to cooperate,"
he said.
"I am ready to do anything, just tell me what you want. I'm
willing to cooperate but we all need to work under the
constitution," Thaksin said.
However, the Democrat Party's spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon said
that "for us, it's too late, and it just shows how Thaksin is
desperate to hold an election."
Thaksin's change of mind came a day after three opposition
parties -- Democrat, Chat Thai and Mahachon -- agreed to boycott
the snap election.
Earlier, Thaksin and his Thai Rak Thai Party had insisted that
the snap election was set at an appropriate date following the
House dissolution last week.
Meanwhile, caretaker Education Minister Jaturon Chaisaeng said
the idea to postpone the snap election was discussed in Tuesday's
cabinet meeting.
"Deputy Prime Minister Wisanu Kruengam and government spokesman
Surapong Suebwonglee are assigned to supply details," Jaturon
said.
In order to defuse the present political crisis, Jaturon said,
the government will try to convince the opposition parties to field
their candidates for the snap election.
?
"The attempt to convince the opposition may take time. As the
election date is approaching, maybe a postponement is an
appropriate choice," he said.
Thai Rak Thai is ready to compete in the election whenever the
date is set.
The three opposition parties have announced that they will start
visiting their constituents on Tuesday to explain the reasons
behind the boycott.
(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2006)
