Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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Thai PM Under Mounting Pressure, Dissolves Parliament
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1119EE4:3919ACA Thaksin Shinawatra
made announcement Friday after meeting with King Bhumibol Adulyadej,
making way for April 2 elections

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has dissolved parliament,
making way for elections just one year after his landslide
re-election. The poll has been set for April 2.







Thaksin Shinawatra speaks to businessmen at foreign ministry in
Bangkok Friday Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made the announcement
Friday after meeting with Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Mr. Thaksin indicated in a public appearance earlier that elections
might be imminent.

"You have seen me for five years," he said. "If you want to continue
using me, vote for me, and I will continue working."

The elections are not likely to satisfy an opposition coalition that
has been staging mass rallies calling for the prime minister's
resignation on the grounds of corruption and abuse of power.

The calls have intensified since a tax-free sale of shares in a
company founded by the prime minister netted his family nearly $2
billion.


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