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Thai opposition files impeachment motion against PM

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-11 15:21

BANGKOK -- Thailand's leading opposition party the Puea Thai Party filed on Wednesday morning an impeachment motion against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to Senate President Prasobsook Boondech, for a debate in the House.

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The impeachment motion was handed to the Senate President by Puea Thai MP Peerapan Palusuk, who was accompanied by over 20 Puea Thai MPs.

The opposition parties' impeachment charges against Premier Abhisit include corruption and constitutional violations.

The impeachment motion has alleged Abhisit of abusing his authority and had concealed allegedly unlawful donations given to his Democrat Party by listed companies in the stock market.

That Abhisit took office as prime minister has allegedly not been supported by a majority of the Thai people, is included in the impeachment charges.  

Also, the motion has alleged Abhisit of supporting political activities of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which is one of Thailand's active political groups.

Late last year, the PAD-led rallies led to the closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in the climax of the protests to topple the previous two governments, which caused great loss to the country's tourism industry and international image.

Prior to the current Abhisit-led government, the two previous governments were led by Samak Sundaravej and then Somchai Wongsawat as the PAD group accused them as the proxies of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the PAD's declared enemy.

The impeachment motion is part of a no-confidence-debate plan against the Premier as the country's Constitution has required opposition parties to seek the impeachment against the Premier, while it decides to hold the censure motion against the Premier.  

After Wednesday's filing of the impeachment motion against the Premier, on Thursday the Puea Thai Party will also submit a no-confidence motion against the Cabinet's ministers to House Speaker Chai Chidchob, according to Puea Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit.  

The date for the debate has not been set.