国际英语新闻：Thai PM says election could be held on Nov. 14 if conditions met

BANGKOK, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Thai government is ready to hold general election on November 14 if conditions are met, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Monday.

"I think that if the reconciliation process (is accepted by all sides) and the situation returns to normal, the election will be held on November 14, a goal that the government is ready to achieve," the prime minister said in a televised speech on Monday night.

It is the first time that Abhisit announced a clear date for a fresh election since the supporters of the anti-government United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) also known as red- shirt protesters began holding mass rally in Bangkok on March 14.

It is expected that Abhisit may dissolve the House in late August or early September.

According to the constitution, a general election must be held within 60 days after the prime minister announces the dissolution of House of Representatives.

Late March, Abhisit suggested dissolution of the House at the end of this year during the second round of talks with UDD leaders.

However, the red-shirts have pressed Abhisit to dissolve the lower house of parliament within 30 days.

The red-shirt protesters said on Monday they would seriously consider the government proposal to hold a November 14 election as part of efforts to end a violent political crisis which left at least 27 people dead.

In his speech, the prime minister clarified five elements of his roadmap. First, all parties concerned must join forces to uphold the monarchy. Second, the government will carry out national reform to do away with injustice in the economic and political structures.