THAILAND: Thai protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban says there is no time limit to the Bangkok shutdown in an address to thousands of supporters gathered in the city on the first night of their planned "shutdown" of the capital

Record ID: 322134

  • Title: THAILAND: Thai protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban says there is no time limit to the Bangkok shutdown in an address to thousands of supporters gathered in the city on the first night of their planned "shutdown" of the capital
  • Date: 13th January 2014
  • Summary: SUTHEP GIVING SPEECH ON STAGE (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) PROTEST LEADER, SUTHEP THAUGSUBAN, SAYING: "This 'Shutdown Bangkok' will go on until we know whether we have won or lost. There is no time limit." CROWD CHEERING MAN CHEERING WOMEN CHEERING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) PROTEST LEADER, SUTHEP THAUGSUBAN, SAYING: "We will try not to affect the macro-economy of the country, we will try not to affect tourism and other businesses. We need to intensify our pressure upon the government."
  • Embargoed: 28th January 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8KHNK6QZDTKMDQYEI2HB3JAJW
  • Story Text: Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban told thousands of supporters on Monday night (January 13) they would continue their campaign until they win or lose, placing no time limit upon the shutdown.

    "This 'Shutdown Bangkok' will go on until we know whether we have won or lost. There is no time limit," he told cheering supporters at Panthumwan intersection rally point.
    Tens of thousands of Thai anti-government protesters occupied parts of central Bangkok, meeting no resistance from the authorities, ratcheting up a two-month agitation to force the resignation of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
    Police and soldiers kept a low profile as the "Shutdown Bangkok, Restart Thailand" drive got under way in the city of about 12 million people, and the mood among protesters was festive, with many singing and dancing in the streets.
    Although major intersections that normally teem with cars and trucks were blocked, city trains and river ferries were operating, most shops were open and motorbikes plied the roads freely.
    Suthep said he would ensure their protest would not affect tourism and other businesses in the city.

    "We will try not to affect the macro-economy of the country, we will try not to affect tourism and other businesses. We need to intensify our pressure upon the government," he said.
    Protesters said they were prepared for a long haul to tighten the noose on the capital, suggesting the crisis could drag on for days, if not weeks, threatening to inflict substantial damage on Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.
    In a bid to end the unrest, Yingluck - who has a commanding majority in parliament - called a snap election for Feb. 2. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has rejected the poll, which Yingluck's Puea Thai Party would probably win.
    As the blockade began to bite, Yingluck invited the protest leaders and political parties for a meeting on Wednesday (January 15) to discuss an Election Commission proposal to postpone the vote, a senior aide of the prime minister said.
    One protester dismissed Yingluck's invitation, saying the government could not be trusted.

    "What they were trying to do is buy time, we cannot trust them. The only way that they can be trusted is when the resign and then we will trust them," Pornsak Satsawatecha said.
    The protesters are determined to install an appointed "people's council" to change the electoral system and bring in other reforms to weaken Thaksin's sway.
    Suthep's stated goal is to eradicate the influence of the Shinawatra family on Thai politics, but he says he would call the protests off if, as some fear, civil war breaks out.
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