Thailand's Election Commission ruled Monday that the ruling party be dissolved for alleged misuse of poll donations, in a potential victory for anti-government protesters who paraded slain comrades through Bangkok to press the prime minister to resign. The ruling, which would require Constitutional Court endorsement to take effect, came soon after Thailand's influential army chief appeared to back a key demand of the protesters, saying Parliament might need to be dissolved to resolve the country's violent political standoff. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who has remained defiant about not resigning, now faces unprecedented pressure, after the deadliest political clashes in nearly two decades Saturday. Vejjajiva was largely seen as having the backing of the powerful military, which has traditionally played an important role in the country's politics, and has not hesitated to step in with coups in times of political instability. But his control of security forces has increasingly been called into question over the past month as red-shirted protesters - supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - repeatedly marched through the capital. On Saturday, soldiers and police failed to dislodge demonstrators, setting off clashes that killed 21. “If the issue cannot be resolved through political means, then Parliament dissolution seems to be a reasonable step,” Thai Army chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda told reporters. “If people want a government of national unity, then by all means, go ahead. I just want peace to prevail.” “Right now the circumstances dictate that a solution should be achieved through political means,” he said. In its ruling Monday, the Election Commission found the Democrat Party - Thailand's oldest - guilty of misusing campaign donations. No date was set for the Constitutional Court to hear the case. Raucous cheers erupted at a major protest site when a speaker announced the decision to his audience.
