Civic groups call for House dissolution

The group, which calls itself People against a Civil War, warned that if the turmoil was allowed to continue with the feuding parties going their ways, a civil armed struggle would be inevitable.

"The fear is realistic. We agreed that it could really happen if the situation goes on like this while the government lacks efficiency in running the country," said Sari Ongsomwang, secretary general of the Foundation for Consumers, one of the members of the alliance.

She identified seven factors that could lead to such a feared scenario. These include constitutional amendment, ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's disrespect to the rules of law, politicians' lack of respect for ethical values and good governance, the People's Alliance for Democracy, the anti-PAD Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, the media that present one-sided information (namely state-run NBT channel, the PAD's ASTV, and some community radio stations), and an inefficient government.

Sari also said that Thaksin's planned counterattack on his alleged political enemies could worsen the conflict between his supporters and detractors and finally lead to a clash.

She was speaking during a press conference at the Foundation for Consumers headquarters.

The activist said representatives from the groups had agreed that the dissolution of the House of Representatives would be the only best option left.

"The power should be returned to the public and let the voters decide. All the parties involved - the government, the PAD, the DAAD - should return to their original locations," Sari said.

She added that the PAD would also have to end their rally when the House is dissolved, as the PAD would have no legitimacy in continuing with its protest.

She said the civic groups would distribute 100,000 copies of a booklet outlining the factors that could lead to a civil war. An electronic version is also available on the websites of the civic groups.

The alliance includes groups working for AIDS patients, service workers, slum residents, students, former senators, businesspeople and academics.