Protests: "Final push" not yet final
Rally leader Suthep says PDRC is taking power while PM Yingluck says, no, the people will take power in an election. Meanwhile, both sides debate the constitutional issues on Constitution Day.
Rally leader Suthep says PDRC is taking power while PM Yingluck says, no, the people will take power in an election. Meanwhile, both sides debate the constitutional issues on Constitution Day.
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Rally leader Suthep Thuagsuban speaks to a large crowd last evening after his seven-hour walk from the Government Complex in Chaengwattana. He insisted that dissolving the House is not enough and the "Thaksin regime" must be ousted entirely. THANARAK KHOONTON
12:35
PM in tears
Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra chaired a one-hour meeting of her caretaker cabinet meeting this morning at the Thai Army Club. Government House, of course, was unavailable, having been surrounded by protesters.
Afterwards, Ms Yingluck seemed her normal self as she spoke to reporters until the subject turned to the calls of some protest leaders that she and her family members should leave the country. Then, the tears came quickly.
We are fellow Thais. Why do we have to hurt one another?
"I have retreated so far and I don't know where to retreat further. I appeal for some fairness."
She then turn away and abruptly walked out.
There was not much sympathy at the Ratchadamnoen rally site, however. When protesters there heard about the cabinet meeting, several groups they organised a fast-moving convoy to go to the Army Club, but arrived after the meeting had finished and the participants had left.
Dissolution fails to end protest
Yingluck bids to stay on in caretaker role
Suthep not satisfied, gives PM, cabinet 24 hours to quit
HMKing approves royal decree for Feb 2 election
POST REPORTERS
Thai politics has entered a new stalemate, despite Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's attempt to end the political crisis by dissolving the House of Representatives.
Anti-government protest leaders have insisted that dissolving the House is not enough to meet their demands. They said their rally will not end until the so-called "Thaksin regime" is uprooted.
A crowd gathers in the Nang Loeng area to listen to Suthep Thuagsuban make his statement. PANUMAS SANGUANWONG
The leaders said they were against a general election taking place within 60 days, or on Feb 2 next year, but will only allow one to be held after the country has undergone reform, particularly the implementation of a "vote-buying free election system" and a complete overhaul of the national police force.
This may take eight to 15 months, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said.
Citing Section 3 of the constitution, protest leaders insisted they have the right to recall the people's mandate from the government and the House, which they claimed are no longer legitimate.
Mr Suthep gave the prime minister and the cabinet a 24-hour deadline to step down to make way for an unelected "people's council".
A large crowd walks towards Government House WEERAWONG WONGPREEDEE
The crowds on the historic Ratchadamonoen Nok avenue were even bigger. WEERAWONG WONGPREEDEE
He called on anti-government protesters at Government House to continue the demonstration for three more days.
However, the government maintains the prime minister and cabinet are required to remain in a caretaker capacity until a new government takes office, under Section 181 of the charter.
Prime Minister Yingluck announced yesterday morning that the House of Representatives had been dissolved to pave the way for elections.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra goes on national television yeserday morning to announce she is dissolving the House of Representatives to hold a new election. SOMCHAI POOMLARD
In her televised announcement, Ms Yingluck insisted she remains the legal head of the caretaker government until a new cabinet replaces her.
His Majesty the King endorsed the royal decree last night. The decree said an election would take place on Feb 2, and until then the prime minister and the Election Commission chairman will act as caretakers to ensure the decree is properly executed.
However, Mr Suthep, secretary-general of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), told his protest faithful last night: "From now on, we will administer this country on our own and will install our people's council and people's government," he said, without elaborating on how such a move would be legal except for citing the charter's Section 3.
There were still some police barriers and barbed wire near Government House yesterday. This was one way of getting over them. THANARAK KHOONTON
However, Mr Suthep accepted it would be hard to achieve those goals since the government would oppose them.
Mr Suthep called on civil servants to report themselves in to the PDRC, saying the committee will set up "people's forces" to replace police officers in villages nationwide.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul announced last night that Mr Suthep's declaration of the establishment of people's forces, his ordering of civil servants to report to the PDRC, and the attempted takeover of administrative power from the caretaker government were acts of insurrection under Section 113 of the Penal Code.
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