Sondhi Limthongkul says he is fighting to save Thai democracy from what he calls the corrupt politicians who have abused it to remain in power. But analysts say that the agenda pushed by Sondhi -- and his comrades who have occupied Bangkok's seat of government for a week -- would severely set back the country's fragile political system. The 61-year-old media mogul and protest leader for the People's Alliance For Democracy wants to abandon the Thailand's popularly elected Parliament for one in which a majority of members would be appointed.
But analysts say that the agenda pushed by Sondhi -- and his comrades who have occupied Bangkok's seat of government for a week -- would severely set back the country's fragile political system.
The 61-year-old media mogul and protest leader for the People's Alliance For Democracy wants to abandon the Thailand's popularly elected Parliament for one in which a majority of members would be appointed.
Thailand's Cabinet agreed Thursday to hold a referendum on a civic group's street campaign to oust the prime minister, which has paralyzed the government for the last 10 days and raised fears of violence and economic chaos. The decision came hours after a defiant Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej went on national radio and vowed he would not step down. His combative speech intensified the deadlock with the People's Alliance for Democracy, whose supporters have taken over the sprawling lawns of Samak's office in their thousands since storming through the gates on Aug. 26.
The decision came hours after a defiant Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej went on national radio and vowed he would not step down.
His combative speech intensified the deadlock with the People's Alliance for Democracy, whose supporters have taken over the sprawling lawns of Samak's office in their thousands since storming through the gates on Aug. 26.
