Thai prime minister reiterates she won’t resign

Eurasia News

BANGKOK: Thailand’s Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday reiterated that she would not resign as the anti-government protesters blocked key roads in the capital Bangkok for a second day in a bid to derail the February 2 election, as well as to force the premier to resign.

I’ve stressed many times I have a duty to act according to my responsibility after the dissolution of Parliament,” Yingluck told reporters.

I’d like to say right now I am not holding on (to my position) but I have to keep political stability. I’m doing my duty to preserve democracy.”

Meanwhile, in his address to a rally, the opposition leader and People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) Chairman Suthep Thaugsuban threatened to take over the administration of Yingluck Shinawatra and also take key cabinet ministers into custody if they did not resign.

The opposition leader said that the protesters would lay siege to all government offices in the next two-three days.

If the caretaker government refuses to resign, as demanded by the PDRC, it would take the protest to a higher level by blockading the houses of Yingluck and important cabinet members,” Suthep said. “If they still refuse to quit, the protesters would take Yingluck and cabinet ministers into their custody.”