Saturday, 25th February, 2006

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, elected for a second time just over a year ago, has moved to head off protests against his government by calling a fresh election for 2 April. Thaksin, the only Thai leader to have completed a four-year term since the kingdom changed to a constitutional monarchy in 1932, gained the approval of King Bhumibol Adulyadej for the new election on Friday.

In a national address broadcast live on television, Thaksin said he would like to apologize "and ask you to go out and make your own decision again by casting your vote. I am ready to bow to whatever your decision is", said the prime minister, adding that he cannot accept mob rule.

Calls for Thaksin, 56, to step down intensified after his family last month sold their stake in communications company Shin Corp. to Singapore 's Temasek Holdings Pte, netting a tax-free $US1.9 billion. Rallies attacking Thaksin have been held downtown in Bangkokl almost weekly since November, initially led by the premier's former friend Sondhi Limthongkul, a media magnate and co-host of a show banned from state television. Opponents intend a Sunday protest rally against Thaksin in the capital to be the largest since the then-government was overthrown in 1992.