Thai PM returns to office after violent riot

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-17-2009 10:02

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Thailand's Prime Minister says he has no plans to dissolve Parliament. Instead, he will call a joint session of upper and lower chambers of Parliament next week to begin the process of political healing.

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva smiles during press conference at his office in Bangkok,Thailand, Thursday, April 16, 2009.(AP Photo/Vincent Thian)

Prime Minister Abhisit has returned to his office for the first time in three weeks so has some normalcy after the violent rioting earlier this week.

Bangkok is still under a state of emergency, but Abhisit has says it's only a temporary measure. Once the order is lifted, the Thai people will be able to act freely again. But how they bridge divides among themselves remains a fundamental question.

Abhisit Vejjajiva, Thailand's Prime Minister, said, "We are trying to separate out those people who demonstrate peacefully, want to exercise their constitutional rights, from those who have been inciting violence, rioting and breaking the law. For the former group we will listen to them we will try to reach a political solution with them, but for the second group we need to enforce the law."

Enforcing the law is precisely what the authorities did when they issued arrest warrants for 14 protest leaders, including former prime minister Thaksin Shinwatra. They are accused of orchestrating and fanning unrest.

So far, only three of those wanted are in custody. Bangkok's Criminal Court has refused bail, and extended their detention by seven days.

Local media says prime minister Abhisit will not dissolve the lower houses of Parliament because it would only create more political division and social chaos.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei