BANGKOK, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Election Commission on Tuesday voted unanimously to seek the dissolution of the core ruling party People Power Party (PPP) with the Constitution Court.

    The resolution came on the same day PPP leader and Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej declared a state of emergency be imposed in Bangkok following violent clashes between pro-government demonstrators led by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) and anti-government protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) during the first two hours of Tuesday near the Government House compound.

Riot policemen separate the two sides of clashes in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, early Sept. 2, 2008. Fierce clashes erupted between thousands of pro-government and anti-government protestors in Bangkok early Sept. 2, leaving at least three people dead and more than 20 others injured. (Xinhua/Ling Shuo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The EC based its resolution on the vote-buying charges against PPP's former deputy leader and former House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat. Yongyuth resigned as House Speaker this April facing the charges. Later in early July he was convicted by the Supreme Court and stripped of his seat in the House of Representatives, thus paving the way for the EC to move further to seek dissolution of the PPP.

    The EC decided that the PPP had to be held responsible for Yongyuth's wrongdoing according to clauses in the 2007 Constitution, which the PPP had sought to amend after it won the December general election and formed a coalition government with five other parties.

    The EC is expected to soon file a suit with the Constitution Court, asking the court to dissolve the party.

    The resolution coincided with a declaration of the premier earlier in the morning to impose emergency decree in the capital following after-midnight violent clash between the DAAD and PAD, which left at least one person dead and dozens injured which the PAD supporters have occupied since Aug. 26 in early hours of Tuesday.

    The emergency decree was aimed at breaking a political impasse since the PAD launched its street protests on May 25 to demand the step-down of the Samak government, which the PAD called a proxy of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

    However, the EC's resolution added to the confusion as to what to become of Thailand's political reconciliation prospect.

    The PAD was known to support the EC as members of it, who were appointed by the junta after the Sept. 19, 2006 military coup ousted Thaksin, has pushed through charges against PPP members.

Thai PM declares state of emergency in Bangkok

    BANGKOK, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Tuesday morning declared state of emergency in Bangkok following violent clashes between the pro and anti-government protesters in early morning.

    Samak explained at a press conference which began at 9:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) at the Supreme Command headquarters that the violent clashes this early morning has waken him up and prompted him to make the declaration. Full story

3 killed, 20 injured in Bangkok clashes

    BANGKOK, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Three people were reportedly killed and 20 injured in the violent clashes occurred between pro-government supporters and anti-government protestors in central Bangkok early Tuesday, witnesses said.

    Thai PBS TV station said that three persons were killed in the clashes. Initial reports said gun shots were heard. The state-run NBT TV said more than 20 people were injured. Full story

Anti-government protesters block southern airports, suspend train service in Thailand

   BANGKOK, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- A few hundred anti-government protesters blocked entrances and exits at the airport in Thailand's southern economic and transportation hub Hat Yai and the access to the airport in the southern coastal resort Phuket Friday afternoon.

    The latest development added to fears that the unrest in the capital, which has witnessed a see-saw battle between the police and the protesters led by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to take control of the government seat on Friday, will spread to provinces nationwide. Full story