Pressure Mounts on Thai PM as US Issues Travel Warning

Thailand's embattled prime minister's downfall may come not from street protests, but from shady dealings with a cement company. The country's election commission has decided that Abhisit Vejjajiva's ruling Democracy party should face prosecution over an undeclared donation from the company, the Wall Street Journal reports. The move means the party could be dissolved and Abhisit barred from politics.

Abhisit—who blames the death of 21 people in weekend protests on terrorist elements—denies that a rift has opened between his government and the military, although the chief of the Thai army suggested yesterday that early elections should be called. The red-shirted protesters have vowed not to back down until an election is called. The US State Department has warned Americans that protests are likely to continue, and urged them to avoid areas that may be targeted.
(More Thailand stories.)