House dissolution bid at risk

Royal decree on rocks as BJT coalition deal unveiled

- AEKARACH SATTABURUTH MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

The Pheu Thai Party's bid to obtain royal consent to dissolve the House of Representatives after coalition talks went against it in favour of a rival party looks to be in danger barely a day after it was announced.

Reports circulated widely yesterday that the petition for royal consent to dissolve the House had been sent back to the cabinet.

Defending the move to petition the King, caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said he acted according to constitutional and legal procedures and dodged comments on whether he was worried it would stand up legally.

He also declined to comment on reports later in the day that that it had been rejected. Earlier, some legal experts vowed the caretaker prime minister had no power to submit such a petition.