2006年VOA标准英语-Thai Prime Minister Steps Aside After Larg

By Scott Bobb
Bangkok
04 April 2006
 
 
Thailand's PM Thaksin Shinawatra speaks at Government House in Bangkok, April 4, 2006
  
Thailand's embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has announced he will step down in an effort to end the nation's political crisis.

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Mr. Thaksin made the announcement on national television late Tuesday, following a meeting with King Bhumibol Adulyadej.  He did not say whether the king had requested that he step down.

The prime minister told his television audience he wants to see Thailand unite in honor of the king's upcoming 60th anniversary on the throne.  He said he will not accept the office of prime minister once parliament reconvenes, but will serve in a caretaker role until his replacement¹ is chosen.

Mr. Thaksin's announcement comes two days after snap elections that he called in response to prolonged anti-government protests.

Organizers have held weekly protests since January, accusing Mr. Thaksin of corruption² and abuse of office.  The prime minister's critics were angered by his family's tax-free sale of nearly $2 billion worth of shares in a company Mr. Thaksin founded.

 
Thaksin Shinawatra leaves party headquarters, Monday
  
In Sunday's elections, Mr. Thaksin's ruling party claimed to have won 57 percent of the vote, but the opposition³ boycotted⁴ the polls.  Earlier in the day, the three main opposition parties said they would rejoin the political process if Mr. Thaksin stepped down.

Thailand's election commission already has scheduled new elections, because it said the Sunday vote produced inconclusive results in several constituencies.

Mr. Thaksin said he plans to remain a member of parliament and the head of the Thai Rak Thai party.

1 replacement   

n.取代，替换，交换；替代品，代用品

参考例句：

• We are hard put to find a replacement for our assistant.我们很难找到一个人来代替我们的助手。
• They put all the students through the replacement examination.他们让所有的学生参加分班考试。

2 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

3 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

4 boycotted   

抵制，拒绝参加( boycott的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Athletes from several countries boycotted the Olympic Games. 有好几国的运动员抵制奥林匹克运动会。
• The opposition party earlier boycotted the Diet agenda, demanding Miyaji's resignation. 反对党曾杯葛国会议程，要宫路下台。