Thailand to go back to the polls

Thailand will go to the polls again after a ruling by the Constitutional Court to strike out the results of the snap general election on April 2.

The decision yesterday raises questions about the future of the caretaker Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who never resigned, but tearfully told the nation on April 4 that he was “taking a rest” and would not lead the incoming government elected on April 2.

Announcing the election decision yesterday, a Constitutional Court spokesman said the 14 judges voted 8-6 to invalidate the poll because the organisation of the election was unconstitutional. In a separate vote, the court ruled 9-5 in favour of holding new elections, he said in a news conference broadcast live on Thai television.

Two weeks ago, King Bhumibol Adulyadej made a rare political intervention and demanded that the courts sort out the “mess”.

In recent months there have been huge anti-Government street protests, a farcical snap election that was boycotted by the opposition, the forced standing aside of the prime minister and now the invalidation of the poll.

No date has been set for the next election but it will probably have to wait until after the royal celebrations in June. Opposition parties have indicated they will contest the new poll.