All 153 MPs from the opposition Democrats are resigning

All 153 MPs from the opposition Democrats will resign with immediate effect. Political observers view this surprise move as a last-ditch effort to force Prime Minister Yingluck to dissolve the House of Representatives and call new elections.

Today is D-Day: from nine places in Bangkok, anti-government demonstrators march to Government House to overthrow the government and put an end to what the protest jargon calls the 'Thaksin regime'. This refers to the influence that former Prime Minister Thaksin still exerts on Thai politics since he fled the country.

The direct reason for the Democrats to turn their backs on parliament is the controversial amnesty proposal and the fact that ruling party Pheu Thai ignores the Constitutional Court's verdict on the senate proposal. But there are many more irritations such as the costly mortgage system for rice, the planned 350 billion baht water works, which are being pushed through, and the planned 2 trillion baht loan for infrastructure works, which puts a heavy burden on the national treasury.

At a press conference (pictured) yesterday, party leader Abhisit explained that the House of Representatives has betrayed popular confidence and no longer has any legitimacy. The dismissal of the members of parliament is aimed at maintaining 'high standards'.

“When trust is lost and the constitution is violated, parliament must take its responsibility. Parliament should not be held hostage so that the government can remain in power,” said Abhisit.

Board members of ruling party Pheu Thai and its coalition partners Chartthaipattana, Chart Pattana Party and Palang Chon met yesterday about the move of the Democrats. They await what Prime Minister Yingluck will do and emphasize that the political impasse must be resolved on the basis of the law. They appealed to the demonstrators marching towards Government House today to come unarmed.

According to political scientist Nakharin Mektrairat, dissolution of the House is now inevitable. "The mass firings are costing the House its legitimacy."

Political scientist Wanwichit Boonprong thinks the government can hold out for a while, at least until early next year, because the other (smaller) opposition parties do not follow the example of the Democrats and because factions in the opposition party Bhumjaithai support the government. At best, the government could stay in place until a referendum on Suthep's proposal to form a Volksraad is held.

Action leader Suthep Thaugsuban promised the demonstrators last night that they will not go home empty-handed after today's march. “We will continue until we are successful. Bangkok becomes paralyzed. Prepare to spend the night on the street.'

Yingluck: Forum and Referendum

Prime Minister Yingluck proposed in a TV speech yesterday to set up a forum and hold a referendum on the proposals of the anti-government groups for the formation of a 'People's Council' and 'People's Parliament', if the political stalemate is not broken. The forum should deal with demands for political reform. If that fails, the referendum should provide a solution.

Yingluck: 'I don't cling to positions. I am ready to dissolve the House [of Representatives] or to step down as Prime Minister if that really ends the political crisis.” But when the protesters reject the result of new elections, the conflict is only prolonged, she said. "There must be guarantees that any idea to break the deadlock will be supported by the majority of the population."

(Source: Bangkok Post, Dec. 9, 2013)

See also Bangkok Breaking News from December 8. More news later today in News from Thailand.