Thais Uncertain if Elections Will Ease Political Tensions

Thailand will hold a general election on July 3rd in what is expected to be a close contest that could reignite a violent political conflict that has dogged the country for five years.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says the King has endorsed the election and parliament will be dissolved on Tuesday.

Here's what some Bangkok residents have to say about the decision.

[Warawut Theeraphap, Bangkok Resident]:
"It might not help the situation to become better that much, but at least people are expecting something will be better than before."

[Sira Shounijtanakun, Bangkok Resident]:
"I don't think it will help the situation to improve by 100 percent but it will ease the tension if everyone is going to start from the beginning."

[Navarat Chujanpa, Bangkok Resident]:
"The democratic system is to give rights to people to vote. For the party that we've elected, it doesn't matter how will they run the country so we (including the military) should let them complete their term. Either they are good or bad, then we can vote again in four years."

[Amorn Wanichwiwatana, Political Lecturer, Chulalongkorn University]:
"There are several polls that indicate the Puea Thai party may be winning the popularity vote or even enough to form a single-party government. If so, some people are afraid that the mission of those who launched the coup to have a resolute win may not be completed. That kind of return raises fears of another coup."

In 2006 a bloodless coup removed former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and plunged Thailand into a political crisis.

Rural and urban supporters of Thaksin have struggled against the military and elite that have backed Abhisit.

That struggle led to the deaths of 91 people last year.

The election may be an opportunity to heal political divisions, but some fear it could also reignite the chaos.