Thai election doubt new blow for Thaksin

BANGKOK, Mar 15 (Reuters) A snap April poll Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called to counter a campaign to oust him might have to be delayed because it is unlikely to fulfil constitutional rules, the Election Commission said today.

Any postponement would deal a blow to billionaire telecoms tycoon Thaksin, who had billed the April 2 vote as a referendum on his leadership after a six-month street campaign by Bangkok's middle classes to kick him out.

Underscoring the seriousness of the situation, King Bhumibol Adulyadej's chief adviser made a rare call on both sides to resolve the crisis, which has caused the baht and stock market to wobble and rekindled long-term worries about the economy.

''All those involved in the situation are grown ups,'' former Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda told reporters. ''I would like to appeal to all parties involved to think and act for the best for our country and our people.'' Wildly popular in the countryside, where 70 per cent of Thailand's 63 million people live, Thaksin had been expected to win another thumping majority in two weeks' time.

However, commission chairman Wassana Permlap told reporters he believed the poll, which is being boycotted by the three main opposition parties, could not produce the full house of 500 MPs required by the constitution to name a new prime minister.

''We could meet today or tomorrow to discuss among ourselves what to do next,'' he said, when asked when the four-member body would decide on a postponement.

Of particular concern is the required quota of 100 ''party list'' parliamentary candidates, Wassana said, although he added there was also a high probability that some of the remaining 400 constituency seats would not be filled.

Even in an uncontested seat, a candidate must win 20 per cent of the eligible vote to win. A party must get 5 per cent of the vote to win a ''party list'' seat and none of the small parties running are likely to get that.

To make matters worse, one man on Thaksin's list quit to become a Buddhist monk, leaving it with only 99 names.

MORE REUTERS SHR BS1950