Thai cabinet survives no-confidence vote

BANGKOK, March 19 (UPI) -- Thailand's prime minister and eight of his ministers survived a no-confidence vote in the parliament, officials said Saturday.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva received 52 percent of the votes despite sharp criticism from some lawmakers over his handling of last year's "red shirt" movement anti-government protests.

Also keeping his job was Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and the heads of most other cabinet agencies.

China's official Xinhua news agency said the vote came after four days of debate in the legislature, which were organized by the opposition party and covered corruption allegations and other issues.