Thai court says April poll "unconstitutional"

BANGKOK, May 8 (Reuters) Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled today that the inconclusive April 2 general election was unconstitutional and a new poll should be held.

''The Constitutional Court voted 8 to 6 that the elections were unconstitutional and voted 9 to 5 to hold a new election,'' Judge Ura Wangomklang told reporters immediately after the court met.

A court spokesman later confirmed the ruling and said it was up to the government to set the date for a new election.

Earlier, another judge said the decision would resolve the political crisis, although a clear way out of what revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej has described as a ''mess'' does not appear to be imminent.

The impasse was brought about by an opposition boycott of the snap poll that left empty seats in parliament and Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra unable to form a government.

However, the opposition Democrat party, which had argued the April poll was not fair, said it would participate in a re-run after a rare intervention by the king last month.

The court had been asked to rule on four issues -- the scheduling of the poll, whether ballot booths were positioned correctly, allegations of the government bankrolling smaller parties and the lack of a formal review of ballot results.

''POLITICAL BREAK'' Thaksin called the election three years early to counter a Bangkok-based street campaign against him, but after a strong protest vote he announced he was taking a ''political break'' and passed day-to-day work to a deputy.

However, in the past week, he has stepped back into the public eye, leading a cabinet audience with the king to mark Coronation Day -- intensifying speculation that his stepping aside was purely cosmetic.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the ad hoc coalition of street campaigners, have vowed to start their protests anew if the billionaire telecoms tycoon went back on his promise not to seek re-election as prime minister.

Aides said the appearances did not point to Thaksin returning to politics, although newspapers speculated that rounds of golf he played with leaders of his Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party at the weekend were a prelude to an election campaign.

Thaksin himself remained coy.

''I have so much energy at the moment. I even went swimming before I came to play golf,'' he told reporters.

For all the intense feelings on both sides, the political crisis has been notable for the total absence of violence.

However, the governmental paralysis caused by the crisis has raised fears about the long-term health of the economy.

REUTERS ON HT1318