Politics cast aside Thais honor their ailing king
Abhisit Vejjajiva
Thais put aside their political animosity Wednesday to honor the country's ailing monarch on the 60th anniversary of his coronation  and his rare public appearance inspired thousands lining the streets to chant "Long Live the King!"
 Protest leaders want Abhisit to specify the date that Parliament would be dissolved.
 The timing of the dissolution has been a crucial issue  and the Red Shirts rejected Abhisit's earlier offer to dissolve Parliament by the end of the year. Abhisit has said he wants enough time in office to pass a national budget for next year. But both sides want to be in control when a key reshuffle of top military posts occurs in September.
 The Red Shirt demonstrators -- consisting of supporters of Thaksin and others who believe the coup was a blow to democracy -- accuse Abhisit of taking power illegitimately through back-room deals and military pressure on legislators.
 Abhisit said his five-point plan takes into account the protesters' main grievances. It includes respect for the monarchy  reforms to resolve economic injustice  free but responsible media to be overseen by an independent watchdog agency  independent investigations of violent incidents connected with the protests  and amendment of the constitution to be more fair to all political parties.
Thais put aside their political animosity Wednesday to honor the country's ailing monarch on the 60th anniversary of [TGT] coronation  and [TGT] rare public appearance inspired thousands lining the streets to chant "Long Live the King!"
 Protest leaders want [TGT] to specify the date that Parliament would be dissolved.
 The timing of the dissolution has been a crucial issue  and the Red Shirts rejected [TGT]'s earlier offer to dissolve Parliament by the end of the year. [TGT] has said [TGT] wants enough time in office to pass a national budget for next year. But both sides want to be in control when a key reshuffle of top military posts occurs in September.
 The Red Shirt demonstrators -- consisting of supporters of Thaksin and others who believe the coup was a blow to democracy -- accuse [TGT] of taking power illegitimately through back-room deals and military pressure on legislators.
 [TGT] said [TGT] five-point plan takes into account the protesters' main grievances. It includes respect for the monarchy  reforms to resolve economic injustice  free but responsible media to be overseen by an independent watchdog agency  independent investigations of violent incidents connected with the protests  and amendment of the constitution to be more fair to all political parties.