Thai prime minister faces no-confidence debate

[Coventina]

Source: International Herald Tribune

BANGKOK: Thailand's main opposition party opened a no-confidence debate Thursday against the prime minister and five key Cabinet ministers, accusing the government of taking power illegitimately and mismanaging the country.

The opposition is seeking to censure Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who took office in December following months of protests by opponents of ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, whose loyalists were then in power and now dominate the opposition.

The two-day debate, initiated by the opposition Phuea Thai Party, is to culminate in a vote Saturday that the opposition says it does not expect to win but hopes will sway public support.

Chalerm Yoobamrung, leading the debate for Phuea Thai, vowed to reveal "new evidence" that would tarnish the ruling Democrat Party's image.



Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/03/19/asia/AS-Thailand-Politics.php