Following protests, Thai PM dissolves parliament and calls election

After weeks of protests in Bangkok, Thailand’s Prime Minister had dissolved the parliament and called for an election.

16:23 09 December 2013

Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra won a huge majority during 2011 election. However, Thais have protested extensively saying that her government is controlled by her brother, the ousted Thaksin Shinawatra. Because of this, she dissolved the parliament and called for an election.

Making the announcement on national television, she said: "The government does not want any loss of life.”

"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. So the Thai people will decide."

Thai officials said that the election will more likely to take place on February 2, 2014.

However, protesters are unlikely to get satisfied with the election saying that the entire democratic system must be changed.

Protester leader Suthep Thaugsuban, who was formerly a senior opposition politician, said: "The movement will keep on fighting. Our goal is to uproot the Thaksin regime."

"Although the House is dissolved and there will be new elections, the Thaksin regime is still in place.”