By Bancha Khaengkhan

Senior Democrats have advised Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House rather than yield to pressure in picking the new National Police chief, a source said yesterday.

The source, who asked not to be named, said the senior Democrats insisted that Abhisit push Pol General Patheep Tanprasert for the top police post rather than Pol General Jumpol Manmai.

If Abhisit yields to pressure and appoints Jumpol, he would be attacked for lacking leadership. Moreover, the coalition parties would demand more from the Democrat. It would hurt his administration eventually, the source quoted senior Democrats as saying.

Abhisit must maintain the Democrat's stance although secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban and PM's secretary-general Niphon Promphan had made deals with coalition parties. The deals included Constitution amendment without establishing the Constitution Drafting Assembly and changing the election system with which the Democrats disagreed.

After dissolving the House, the next election should still be under the 2007 charter, which benefits the Democrats, the source said.

"The senior Democrats told Abhisit not to worry about being in the opposition again after House dissolution. But the party needs to keep its stance rather than bowing to the coalition parties' requests. That would only hurt the party," the source said.

--The Nation/ANN