'Dissolve House to avoid civil war'

The group, which calls itself People against a Civil War, warned that if the turmoil were allowed to continue with the feuding parties going their different ways, an armed civil 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 scenario: constitutional amendment; ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's disrespect for the rule 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 (DAAD); 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.

Speaking during a press conference at the Foundation for Consumers, Sari also said Thaksin's planned counterattack against his alleged political enemies could worsen the conflict between his supporters and detractors and finally lead to a major clash. The activist said representatives from the groups had agreed that the dissolution of the House of Representatives was the best option left.

"Power should be returned to the public, letting the voters decide. All the parties involved - the government, the PAD and the DAAD - should return to their original locations," Sari said. She added that the PAD would also have to end its rally when the House is dissolved, as it would have no legitimacy in continuing the protest.

She said the civic groups would distribute 100,000 copies of a booklet outlining the factors that could lead to a civil war. The alliance includes groups working for AIDS patients, service workers, slum residents, students, former senators, businesspeople and academics.