Thaksin to return

Reports in The Nation indicate that Thaksin Shinawatra is to resume his duties as Prime Minister after standing down in April. He feels that the vacuum needs to be filled. He originally stood down pending the formation of a new government. However, a new government could not be formed as the elections were not completed due to a number of unfilled constituencies. The courts annulled the election results and ordered a re-run within 60 days. The Electoral Commission has however decide the elections should take place in October. Meanwhile the court has decided that the Electoral Commission should resign and that the date is illegal. The Prime Minister could legitimately argue that as the election results were annulled and as he stood aside pending the formation of a new government he has every right to resume his duties. However, his opponents will be likely to argue that he has resigned and therefore cannot resume his duties and so the acting Prime Minister should remain until a full set of elections can be completed and parliament can appoint a new Prime Minister. Don't be surprised if we see the protests starting up again.