Thai king approves house dissolution, July 3 polls

[May 09, 2011]  BANGKOK (AP) -- Thailand's king has approved a decree dissolving the lower house of parliament and setting a general election for July 3.

Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said Monday the dissolution would take effect Tuesday.

Approval by King Bhumibol Adulyadej sets in motion a new political battle between opponents and supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006.

Thaksin's supporters held two months of anti-government demonstrations in the Thai capital last year that deteriorated into violence. More than 90 people were killed and 1,400 wounded.

[Associated Press]

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