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Thai court rejects government's bid to amend constitution in new blow to ruling party

Associated Press
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Thai Riot policemen stand guard at Constitutional court as anti-government protesters gather outside in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. Thailand's beleaguered government, plagued by street protests over an ill-advised attempt to help ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, faces a fresh challenge Wednesday when a court rules on its attempt to amend the constitution. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

Riot policemen stand guard at Constitutional court as anti-government protesters gather outside in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. Thailand's beleaguered government, plagued by street protests over an ill-advised attempt to help ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, faces a fresh challenge Wednesday when a court rules on its attempt to amend the constitution. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

Riot policemen stand guard at Constitutional court in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. Thailand's beleaguered government, plagued by street protests over an ill-advised attempt to help ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, faces a fresh challenge Wednesday when a court rules on its attempt to amend the constitution. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit) (The Associated Press)

Thailand's top court has rejected the ruling party's attempt to amend the constitution, dealing a political defeat to the government.

But, the Constitutional Court's Wednesday ruling turned down a request from the government's opponents to dissolve the ruling party.

The ruling follows another political setback to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government when the Senate last week rejected its bid to pass a political amnesty bill that critics said was designed to bring home deposed former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, who is Yingluck's brother.

Analysts say Wednesday's ruling could deepen Thailand's political crisis by angering Thaksin supporters and emboldening his opponents, both of whom have gathered for mass protests recently.