Former Thailand PM charged with protesters’ murder

Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and leader of the opposition Democrat Party has been formally charged with murder in connection with the death of 90 demonstrators during the country's 2010 protests.

He has since denied the charges and was granted bail.

The indictment came as protests vowing to overthrow current Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra continued. On Sunday, the minority Democrats, Thailand's main opposition party, announced their resignation from parliament due to their alignment with anti-government protesters.

Mr Abhisit and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, were in power when thousands of demonstrators of ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra occupied parts of Bangkok. They authorised the army to clear the protesters.

Thaugsuban also faces charges but has asked the court to postpone his hearing.

The charges relate to the shooting deaths of a 43-year-old taxi driver and a 14-year-old during the crackdown.

The indictment came as protests against current Prime Minister, and protesters briefly entered Government House.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, protesters briefly broke into Government House, and later cut off the office's power supply, reports said.

The country has been besieged by widespread protests vowing to overthrow the administration of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the younger sister of disgraced Thaksin Shinawatra who was toppled in a military coup in 2006.

Protesters want to replace the government with an unelected "people's council".

On Monday, the Prime Minister dissolved parliament and announced general elections for 2 February, as 150,000 protesters surrounded Government House but she refused to resign prior to elections.

Ms Yingluck's Pheu Thai party has a majority in parliament, and draws significant support from Thailand's rural areas. The party is seen as well placed to win February's election. However, protesters accuse it of using public funds irresponsibly to secure votes, including on a controversial rice subsidy scheme that hurt Thailand's exports.