Ousted Thailand premier urges quick elections

London, Sept 21: Ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called today for new general elections in Thailand to be arranged quickly and for all parties to work toward national reconciliation.

Thaksin, who arrived in London yesterday, said in a statement released by his secretariat that he would take a deserved rest and planned to work on research, development and possible charitable work for Thailand.

Speaking less than 24 hours after leading a bloodless coup to oust the billionaire premier, army chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said yesterday it would take a year to produce a new constitution leading to a general election.

''The event in Thailand during the last two days should not detract from my main aim of national reconciliation,'' said Thaksin's statement, which was signed by his secretariat and handed to reporters outside the London apartment where he is staying.

''Therefore, he would like to urge all parties to find ways and means to reconcile and work torward national reconcilation for the sake of our King and country,'' the statement said.

''He hopes the new regime will quickly arrange a new general election and continue to uphold the principles of democracy for the future of all Thai,'' it said.

REUTERS

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