BANGKOK, March 26 -- Reiterating that a fresh general election would be held in Thailand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Saturday that he is confident his ruling Democrat Party would gain more seats in the lower house, while asking major opposition Puea Thai Party to appoint its leader so that people would know who they would elect as the new premier for the country.

Mr Abhisit told journalists following a meeting of his party, held at a hotel, that he is optimistic the Democrat Party would gain more seats in the House of Representatives in every region in the upcoming general election.

There are still several projects which need to be implemented, but this doesn't mean that the government has achieved nothing in the past two years of its administration, he said.

Mr Abhisit said he was confident that the election would be held as planned by him earlier, as the majority of people in the country wanted to see the country moving forward. There are still some people seeking an obstruction as they do not wish the election to be held, but this move is not expected to be welcomed by most people.

Mr Abhisit has said earlier that he would dissolve the House of Representatives in early May.

According to the Constitution, an election must be organised within 45 or 60 days after House dissolution.

Asked whether his party would benefit in the election since the main opposition Puea Thai Party has not appointed a leader for the party, Mr Abhisit said political parties should be fair to eligible voters and inform people who their leaders are so that people could make the decision which parties they should cast votes for towards a new government leader that could run the country.

“I want every party to become transparent as soon as possible in order to enable voters to make the final decision,” he added.
 
So far, the Puea Thai Party, main backer of fugitive, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has not appointed a leader as party members have split into factions. Some members want its party list MP Mingkwan Saengsuwan to lead, while another faction favors Mr Thaksin’s younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra, and still another faction is pushing hard for its recently resigned party MP chairman Chalerm Yoobamrung to become the party leader.
 
Mr Chalerm has said in his resignation letter that he would not contest in the election and that he also would not join any political party. His statements, however, leave room for interpretation. (MCOT online news)