Thailand's Constitutional Court on Dec. 2 dissolved the three biggest parties in the ruling coalition and banned the prime minister along with top party executives from politics for five years.

The ruling sinks Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's coalition government, made up of six parties. It also raises hopes that thousands of protesters seeking the government's ouster will end their siege of the country's two main airports.

The court ruled that Somchai's People's Power Party, the Machima Thipatai party and the Chart Thai party were guilty of electoral fraud.

Court President Chat Chalavorn said the ruling will "set a political standard."

Government spokesman Nattawut Sai-kau said Somchai and his coalition would step down. "We will abide by the law," he said.