PM: No election if unrest remains | Bangkok Post: news

A general election will not be called as long as there is disorder in the country, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Wednesday.

His statement came a day after The state-run National Broadcasting Service of Thailand (NBT) Channel 11 television station was attacked with an M79 grenade. The blast, which caused no injuries, occurred in the car park in front of the buildings housing the national broadcaster about 1.45pm. It damaged a van and four sedans.

"What happened will be taken into consideration when I make decisions relating to the election. I have said before that people's confidence will have to be restored before an election is held," he said.

However, Mr Abhisit said he does not believe that those who were behind the attack have the intention to delay the election, as claimed by opposition Puea Thai MP Chalerm Yubamrung.

The prime minister refused to speculate whether the attack was carried out by the same group of people who launched attacks during the red-shirt protests this year.

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva (right) and Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban