Democrats resign from Thailand parliament ahead of day of protest

Thailand's main opposition party resigned from parliament yesterday to protest "the illegitimacy" of a government with which it can no longer work. The move deepens the country's political crisis one day before new street demonstrations that many fear could turn violent.

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Published: 4:01pm, 8 Dec 2013Updated: 3:03pm, 9 Dec 2013

Watch: Thai PM offers elections as opposition MPs quit en masse

Thailand's main opposition party resigned from parliament yesterday to protest "the illegitimacy" of a government with which it can no longer work.

The move deepens the country's political crisis one day before new street demonstrations that many fear could turn violent.

Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said his party could not work in the legislature anymore because the body is "no longer accepted by the people".

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says she is willing to call an election. Photo: EPA

The Democrats are aligned with anti-government protesters who have staged the country's biggest rallies in years. The protests began last month and are aimed at ousting Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, whose democratically elected government came to power in a landslide vote in 2011 that observers said was free and fair.

The Democrats have not won an election since 1992, and some of their leaders appear to have given up on electoral politics because they cannot win. The protesters are demanding a non-elected people's council lead the country instead.