Thailand tense on eve of crucial PM vote

BANGKOK: Thailand was on edge on Sunday on the eve of a vote for a new premier, with the opposition Democrat Party still confident of a win despite a last-minute intervention by ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin, toppled in a 2006 military coup, weighed in from exile late Saturday, accusing the army of interfering in the formation of a new government,  a claim the military swiftly denied.

MPs on Monday will choose Thailand’s third PM in four months, with opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on the verge of the premiership after the pro-Thaksin government was brought down by a court order.

Abhisit’s Democrat Party and Thaksin’s allies engaged in fierce last-minute lobbying to win over a handful of undecided MPs.

“The more (Thaksin) talks, it makes MPs feel uncomfortable. This is not about betrayal, it is about a decision for the nation,” said Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Tuagsuban.

Thaksin gave a pre-recorded video address at a Bangkok stadium to about 50,000 supporters bedecked in bright red late Saturday, and said there would be no end to Thailand’s political strife if the generals keep meddling.

Police say they will have about 1,200 officers on duty outside parliament for the special session on Monday.

Wiphuthalang, leader of a pro-Thaksin group, said they had no plans to call a mass protest to halt the vote.