In his televised speech,Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana stated that although the ECsaid the on-schedule election could lead to violence, the Governmentbelieves that the delay will even cause more violence.
Earlier the same day, in its statement, the five-member EC called forthe delay of the election until all parties work through theirdifferences.
The statement was issued after dozensof anti-government protesters and police officers were injured in aclash on the same day.
Police fired teargases andrubber bullets at protesters who tried to storm into a Bangkokstadium where representatives of 30 political parties vying in theelection drew lots for electoral numbers.-VNA