Thailand's ruling Democrats escaped a political ban

Thailand's ruling Democrats escaped a political ban Thursday for the second time in less than two weeks, clearing the way for premier Abhisit Vejjajiva to lead the party into an election battle next year. The Constitutional Court voted 4-3 to dismiss the charges on the basis that the legal process was not conducted properly, a judge announced.

The court had the power to disband the Democrats and hand down five-year political bans to senior figures, including the prime minister, if they were found guilty. The case was one of two lodged by election officials in April against the party amid violence that ultimately left more than 90 people dead in clashes between troops and "Red Shirt" protesters.

Abhisit refused to hold snap polls, but must call an election before his term finishes at the end of 2011. Most of their leaders -- including Thida's husband Weng Tojirakan -- are in jail facing terrorism charges.

The two-month rally by the Reds attracted up to 100,000 people demanding immediate elections, but was crushed in May in a deadly military assault on their base. After the crackdown, a small group of hardcore protesters set dozens of major buildings ablaze in the heart of Bangkok, including a shopping mall and the stock exchange.


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