Thai PM no-confidence vote fails

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Wednesday, after he was put to the test over his handling of the street protests in the capital that left 89 people dead. Vajjajiva has a majority in the lower house, which rejected the censure motion after a vote of 246 to 186.

Reuters

The prime minister has been accused of gross human rights violations in handling the tense standoff between opposition "red shirts" and government troops. The armed troops fired live rounds into the crowds during several skirmishes in Bangkok.

The Red Shirts, who had barricaded themselves in the capital, had their encampment broken up by troops on 19 May.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban also survived a no-confidence vote. He had overseen a previous rally where deadly force was used. The foreign, finance, interior and transport ministers also survived the no-confidence vote.

The vote was not without controversy, however. The Bhumjai Thai party said it would no longer work with  Puea Pandin lawmakers who withheld votes of confidence for the interior and transport ministers. Both are from the Bhumjai Thai party.

Deputy Transport Minister Suchart Chokchaiwattanakorn said that the prime minister must choose between the two parties by the end of the week because they cannot work together any more.

The Bhumjai Thai party and the Puea Pandin party both have 32 seats in the lower house. If one of the parties leaves, the prime minister would be left with a narrow majority of 243 seats out of 475.