Saturday, March 19, 2011

Thai PM narrowly survives no-confidence vote

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva leaves Downing Street after meeting British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on March 13, 2009 in London, England. Mr Vejjajiva, who is on an official three-day visit to the UK, planned to discuss economic issues with Gordon Brown ahead of the G-20 summit in April.  (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Abhisit Vejjajiva
BANGKOK - THAI Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday survived a no-confidence motion brought against him by opposition lawmakers who accused him of human rights violations, the house speaker said.

Mr Abhisit won the vote as expected following a censure debate, which the opposition Puea Thai party legislators sought to use to inflict political damage on his administration ahead of elections expected by early July.

The premier was one of ten ruling coalition ministers named in the motion, who all survived separate votes.


'The parliament has voted to give confidence to the Prime Minister and another nine ministers to stay in power,' house speaker Chai Chidchob said.

During the debate, Mr Abhisit's opponents accused him of abusing his power during deadly military operations in April and May 2010 aimed at clearing 'Red Shirt' opposition protesters from the streets of Bangkok. -- AFP

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