Thai Government braces for violence threat

Thailand’s caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on April 25 that the Government may ask for more soldiers to be deployed in Bangkok amidst concerns that the political crisis might turn more violent.
Thailand’s caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on April 25 that the Government may ask for more soldiers to be deployed in Bangkok amidst concerns that the political crisis might turn more violent.

Addressing the press, Surapong, who is also Director of the Centre for Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) expressed concern about the high risk of clashes between government supporters and anti-government demonstrators if caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is forced to step down in May in a lawsuit. He said that is the reason why the government is seeking greater military presence to ensure security in the capital.

In the lawsuit, Yingluck was accused of abusing power when she removed National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri in 2011. The opposition camp said the move was designed to benefit the PM’s ruling Puea Thai Party.

If found guilty, she could be forced to step down.

The caretaker PM is also facing an accusation of dereliction of duty from the country’s National Anti-Corruption Commission for ignoring warnings of corruption during the implementation of a rice subsidy scheme.

The pro-government Red Shirt movement has vowed to fight any attempt to force PM Yingluck to step down.-VNA

See more