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 saidon April 25 that the Government may ask for more soldiers to bedeployed in Bangkok amidst concerns that the political crisis might turnmore violent.

Addressing the press, Surapong,who is also Director of the Centre for Administration of Peace andOrder (CAPO) expressed concern about the high risk of clashes betweengovernment supporters and anti-government demonstrators if caretakerPrime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is forced to step down in May in alawsuit. He said that is the reason why the government is seekinggreater military presence to ensure security in the capital.

In the lawsuit, Yingluck was accused of abusing power when sheremoved National Security Council chief Thawil Pliensri in 2011. Theopposition camp said the move was designed to benefit the PM’s rulingPuea Thai Party.

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

The caretaker PM is also facing an accusation of dereliction of dutyfrom the country’s National Anti-Corruption Commission for ignoringwarnings of corruption during the implementation of a rice subsidyscheme.

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

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