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Thai junta promises polls

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Faced with growing protest rallies against "military dictatorship," Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Monday promised to hold a general election that would satisfy the disaffected people.

In a direct reference to the supporters of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Mr. Surayud, a retired military general, said they would, at the "next election," have "a choice of political leaders who will work for a better life" for the people. The protesters, mostly supporters of Mr. Thaksin, who was ousted in a bloodless military coup last September, are now making common cause with other anti-junta activists to form a new "alliance against dictatorship." This "alliance" has not yet been registered, as the junta, officially styled the Council for National Security (CNS), is yet to allow the formation of new political groups.

Mr. Surayud indicated that the CNS was now trying to pacify the protesters through suitable assurances and that there was no move to crack down on peaceful demonstrations.

The protesters, agitated over the recent order of the CNS-appointed judges to disenfranchise Mr. Thaksin and his associates for any political office for five years, have vowed to carry forward the anti-junta campaign. Mr. Thaksin's pre-coup political opponents were not, however, so disqualified.

Plans have been announced for a major pro-democracy rally in front of the CNS headquarters in Bangkok on June 24. The CNS leader, General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who led the coup against Mr. Thaksin, has so far allowed his hand-picked Prime Minister to deal with the protest rallies.

Defending last month's anti-Thaksin order of the Constitutional Court, Mr. Surayud said "corrupt" politicians had to be "punished" so that the action could deter others from abusing public offices.

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