Thai PM announces House dissolution

In a televised speech, Yingluck said the date of a general election will be decided as soon as possible

Since the government took office in August 2011, it has been committed to addressing all sorts of crisis to promote social reconciliation, but divergence and conflicts still remain, Yingluck sIrrespective of government efforts, opposition parties resorted to street demonstrations rather than seeking solutions within the parliamentary system, she added.

Different political forces are still battling, each with a large number of supporters, Yingluck said, adding the country has seen too much pain.

The House is thus dissolved to return the power to the people at a critical moment, and let the people decide the way out for the nation, she said.

The dissolution is now awaiting royal approval.

Yingluck said she hoped all parties would attend the coming election and the government will remain functional as a caretaker until then.

Since early morning, anti-government protestors have been gathering at different sites to march to the Government House in a final attempt to topple the government.

Protest leaders said the dissolution was not enough and demanded that the government resign after the dissolution.