Dissolution fails to end protest

- Yingluck bids to stay on in caretaker role - Suthep not satisfied, gives PM, cabinet 24 hours to quit - HMKing approves royal decree for Feb 2 election.

Thai politics has entered a new stalemate, despite Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's attempt to end the political crisis by dissolving the House of Representatives.

Protesters who marched along different routes across the city flood into the streets around Government House. SITHIKORN WONGWUDTHIANUN

 Anti-government protest leaders have insisted that dissolving the House is not enough to meet their demands. They said their rally will not end until the so-called "Thaksin regime" is uprooted.

The leaders said they were against a general election taking place within 60 days, or on Feb 2 next year, but will only allow one to be held after the country has undergone reform, particularly the implementation of a "vote-buying free election system" and a complete overhaul of the national police force.

This may take eight to 15 months, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said.

Citing Section 3 of the constitution, protest leaders insisted they have the right to recall the people's mandate from the government and the House, which they claimed are no longer legitimate.

Mr Suthep gave the prime minister and the cabinet a 24-hour deadline to step down to make way for an unelected "people's council".

He called on anti-government protesters at Government House to continue the demonstration for three more days. 

However, the government maintains the prime minister and cabinet are required to remain in a caretaker capacity until a new government takes office, under Section 181 of the charter.

Prime Minister Yingluck announced yesterday morning that the House of Representatives had been dissolved to pave the way for elections.

Suthep Thaugsuban gives the thumbs up outside

 Government House after declaring the protests have

‘‘reclaimed power for the people’’. THANARAK

KHOONTON

In her televised announcement, Ms Yingluck insisted she remains the legal head of the caretaker government until a new cabinet replaces her.

"The situation seemed likely to escalate into violence so the government has decided to return power to the people and let them decide through elections who will govern the country," the prime minister said.

His Majesty the King endorsed the royal decree last night. The decree said an election would take place on Feb 2, and until then the prime minister and the Election Commission chairman will act as caretakers to ensure the decree is properly executed.
However, Mr Suthep, secretary-general of the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), told his protest faithful last night: "From now on, we will administer this country on our own and will install our people's council and people's government," he said, without elaborating on how such a move would be legal except for citing the charter's Section 3.

However, Mr Suthep accepted it would be hard to achieve those goals since the government would oppose them.

Mr Suthep said Ms Yingluck's move to dissolve the House was nothing but a political tactic to regain power at the next election. "You are a liar," he said, addressing Ms Yingluck. "But people are not as foolish as you think."

He said the protesters never committed serious crimes throughout their anti-government campaign, only petty crimes like invading state offices.

However, the government has accused the protesters of insurrection as a result of their actions. 

"I am a rebel and I do not bow to you [the government] any more, even though it could kill me," Mr Suthep declared.

"Anyone who sides with the people must join forces with the PDRC. Those who do not side with the people, grovel to Yingluck and [deposed premier] Thaksin [Shinawatra]," he added, stressing it was time for everyone to make clear which side they were on. 

Mr Suthep called on civil servants to report themselves in to the PDRC, saying the committee will set up "people's forces" to replace police officers in villages nationwide.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul announced last night that Mr Suthep's declaration of the establishment of people's forces, his ordering of civil servants to report to
the PDRC, and the attempted takeover of administrative power from the caretaker government were acts of insurrection under Section 113 of the Penal Code.

Mr Surapong, also director of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order, said Mr Suthep had wrongly cited Section 3 of the constitution to try to overthrow the government since Section 3 stipulated that "the sovereign power belongs to the Thai people and such power shall be exercised by the King through parliament, the cabinet and the courts".

The charter does not allow any person or group of people to take this sovereign power from the people, he said. 

Borwornsak Uwanno, secretary-general of the King Prajadhipok's Institute, said Ms Yingluck's announcement of a House dissolution breached His Majesty's authority because the announcement was made before a royal decree was formally issued.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday denied the decision by Ms Yingluck to dissolve the House had been spurred by any army intervention, a source close to him said.

The source, regarded as reliable, quoted Gen Prayuth as saying that Ms Yingluck made the decision herself, with no influence from the army.

Gen Prayuth favoured an end to the rallies now that the premier had dissolved the House and wanted all sides to sit down to find a solution, the source added.


Source: Bangkokpost