The Thai prime minister said Friday he was to start the process of dissolving parliament and call a general election later in the day, as dpa reported. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would be forwarding a decree to dissolve the House of Representatives to the king Friday, before leaving for a regional summit in Indonesia. The king's approval is required for the decree to be implemented, but this is usually a formality. Abhisit said he would announce an election date on Monday. Elections have to be held between 45 and 60 days from the king's approval of the house dissolution, putting the poll date in late June or early July. The prime minister, whose Democrat Party has led a coalition government for more than two years, had earlier said parliament would be dissolved in early May.
