Thai anti-government protesters began gathering in Bangkok on January 12, a day ahead of their planned "shutdown" of the capital.
The move is part of the demonstrators’ attempt to topple the provisional government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and halt the upcoming elections, slated for February 2.
Speaking to the local English-language “Sunday Nation” newspaper, demonstrators’ leader Suthep Thaugsuban said they can consider ending anti-government actions once civil war looms.
However, he rejected all compromises with the government on the “shutdown” of the capital campaign on January 13.
Meanwhile, local media reported that the ruling Pheu Thai party had criticised the Thai Election Committee (EC) for poor performance in preparing for the election, saying that some members of the committee have personal motivation in their actions.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said EC had asked the government to issue an order to suspend the election due to political turbulent. However, the government rejected the proposal, saying that it violates the constitution.
According to Surapong, the EC failed to fulfil its task to ensure the election take place as schedule and solve problems related to candidacy registration procedure.
Earlier, PM Yingluck called on the military to mediate talks with protestors to find a way to end the ongoing political conflict.
The authorities say they are ready to declare a state of emergency if there is fresh unrest, and roughly 20,000 police and soldiers will be deployed for security during the day of capital shutdown.
To date, eight people, including a police officer, have been killed and many others injured during protests, which esclated since late October 2013.-VNA
The move is part of the demonstrators’ attempt to topple the provisional government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and halt the upcoming elections, slated for February 2.
Speaking to the local English-language “Sunday Nation” newspaper, demonstrators’ leader Suthep Thaugsuban said they can consider ending anti-government actions once civil war looms.
However, he rejected all compromises with the government on the “shutdown” of the capital campaign on January 13.
Meanwhile, local media reported that the ruling Pheu Thai party had criticised the Thai Election Committee (EC) for poor performance in preparing for the election, saying that some members of the committee have personal motivation in their actions.
Thai Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said EC had asked the government to issue an order to suspend the election due to political turbulent. However, the government rejected the proposal, saying that it violates the constitution.
According to Surapong, the EC failed to fulfil its task to ensure the election take place as schedule and solve problems related to candidacy registration procedure.
Earlier, PM Yingluck called on the military to mediate talks with protestors to find a way to end the ongoing political conflict.
The authorities say they are ready to declare a state of emergency if there is fresh unrest, and roughly 20,000 police and soldiers will be deployed for security during the day of capital shutdown.
To date, eight people, including a police officer, have been killed and many others injured during protests, which esclated since late October 2013.-VNA
