Protests: Orders from Suthep

His demand for the caretaker government to resign ignored, rally leader Suthep Thuagsuban issues a new set of orders and tells protesters to target the Shinawatra family.

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Suthep issues orders to protesters, police, soldiers and government workers after PM Yingluck ignored his order to resign. PANUMAS SANGUANWONG

12:20

It didn't take long for Tida Tawornseth, chair of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), to comment on Suthep Thuagsuban's latest orders to the police. The order that they take legal action against caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and cabinet members on insurrection charges was "insane and absurd".

PDRC spokesman, Akanat Promphan, admitted this morning that the police were not being cooperative, but said government civil servants were responding well, even if they might not dare stay home from work.

Suthep targets Shinawatra clan

Lamphai Intathep 
Pradit Ruangdit

Rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban last night announced that Shinawatra family members would become the next targets of the anti-government protesters.

The protest escalation came after caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra shrugged off the ultimatum by the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) led by Mr Suthep that demanded she and her government step down from their caretaker role in 24 hours, or by 10.30pm last night, to pave the way for the appointment of an interim prime minister and the setting up of a "people's council" under Section 3 of the constitution.

The government rejected the demand, saying Section 3 does not allow any group of people to exercise the sovereign power of the people. The King shall exercise such power through parliament, the cabinet and the courts, it said.

In his speech to the protesters, Mr Suthep said since Ms Yingluck had ignored the PDRC's "order", the committee had therefore issued an "additional order" that protesters demonstrate peacefully against Shinawatra family members and cabinet members.

Police are also ordered by the PDRC to take legal action against Ms Yingluck and her cabinet on charges of insurrection, he said.

"The PDRC orders police officers to return to their normal duties," Mr Suthep said, setting them a 12-hour deadline to comply.

"The military is asked to deploy for security purposes at state offices instead," he said.

In an earlier speech, Mr Suthep said when the prime minister steps down, he would ask protesters to go home.

"Just wait for another three days. If this is not finished, people in the Shinawatra family won't find any happiness in their lives," he said.

Mr Suthep again insisted the Yingluck administration had lost its legitimacy to stay in power since it had rejected the Constitution Court's ruling on the charter amendment to make the Senate a fully elected body.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra appears at a press conference at the Army Club during which she pleaded emotionally with anti-government protesters to treat her family fairly. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD

Early in the day, Ms Yingluck appeared on the verge of tears during a press conference at the Army Club and insisted she would not step down as caretaker prime minister until a new cabinet has been formed.

"I have retreated so far and I don't know where to retreat further," she said.

The prime minister became emotional when asked about the protesters' demand that her family leave the country.

"I am not without feelings. I have heard their calls. As for the one about my family, I am also Thai. Will there be no place for me here? Is this what is going to happen?

Mr Suthep responded last night and asked Ms Yingluck to treat the protesters fairly. He said the demonstrators were aware of their legal rights and had never "banished" her brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, or anyone from the country.

"Thaksin left not because the people drove him away. He fled.

"And the people here shout "Get out" not because they want you to leave the country. They want you out of the prime minister's post. Don't make such a false accusation," he said.

You can read the full story here: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/384165/suthep-targets-shinawatra-clan

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