PHUKET: The final showdown is here. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said in a speech in Bangkok today that he will surrender to police on May 27 if the ''peoples' coup'' has not achieved its aims of establishing a reformist government before then.
Speaking to supporters at Government House, Khun Suthep - who draws much of his support from Bangkok, Phuket and across the south - said: ''If you don't come out in support of the new Thailand, we will call an end to the project.''
He is urging the heads of all government departments to join in reform discussions in the leadup to May 23, 24 and 25, when he hopes a million people will pack the streets of the Thai capital to end the Thaksin Shinawatra era.
''This is a couple by the people,'' he said. ''We have been at this for a long time already. We must set a final date.''
Khun Suthep will make a televised speech at a rally in Bangkok tonight then repeat his message again tomorrow so the word is spread that the street protests, which began in Bangkok in November, are finally drawing to an end.
''We have been fighting long and hard to reform the government,'' he told his followers today. ''If we do not succeed by May 26, I will surrender to police on May 27.''
Khun Suthep, a former Deputy PM in a Democrat Party government, abandoned politics to lead the street rebellion that has the declared aim of reforming Thailand's parliamentary structure and administration before the next national election is held.
Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of fugitive powerbroker Thaksin, attempted to forge ahead with an election on February 2 but it was eventually nullified because of boycotts, mostly in the southern provinces.
Earlier this month Khun Yingluck was removed from her role by the Constitutional Court over abuses of power. With her went nine Cabinet ministers. Already a caretaker government, the vestiges of the former ruling Pheu Thai party are now merely warming seats for whatever comes next.
A new nationwide election scheduled for July 20 seem unlikely to go ahead unless the street protests are resolved, one way or another.
Khun Suthep wants the Shinawatra family removed from Thailand's politics for good.
The street movement to topple the government has been running close to empty since the fall of Khun Yingluck but today's deadline declaration by Khun Suthep is likely to breathe a final burst of defiance into his followers.
This week, the Senate - all that remains of Thailand's Parliament - failed to follow through on Khun Suthep's suggestion of appointing a neutral interim Prime Minister, and called instead for further submissions from the caretaker government.
Disappointed at that outcome, Khun Suthep called today's meeting of all representatives of the People's Democratic Reform Committee from around the country to construct their own end game.
Planning will conclude on May 22 to make way for three days of street protests, followed by what Khun Suthep hopes on May 26 will be the announcement of an agreed plan for a reformed Thailand.
If not, he will face treason and other charges the following day.
Speaking to supporters at Government House, Khun Suthep - who draws much of his support from Bangkok, Phuket and across the south - said: ''If you don't come out in support of the new Thailand, we will call an end to the project.''
He is urging the heads of all government departments to join in reform discussions in the leadup to May 23, 24 and 25, when he hopes a million people will pack the streets of the Thai capital to end the Thaksin Shinawatra era.
''This is a couple by the people,'' he said. ''We have been at this for a long time already. We must set a final date.''
Khun Suthep will make a televised speech at a rally in Bangkok tonight then repeat his message again tomorrow so the word is spread that the street protests, which began in Bangkok in November, are finally drawing to an end.
''We have been fighting long and hard to reform the government,'' he told his followers today. ''If we do not succeed by May 26, I will surrender to police on May 27.''
Khun Suthep, a former Deputy PM in a Democrat Party government, abandoned politics to lead the street rebellion that has the declared aim of reforming Thailand's parliamentary structure and administration before the next national election is held.
Former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, sister of fugitive powerbroker Thaksin, attempted to forge ahead with an election on February 2 but it was eventually nullified because of boycotts, mostly in the southern provinces.
Earlier this month Khun Yingluck was removed from her role by the Constitutional Court over abuses of power. With her went nine Cabinet ministers. Already a caretaker government, the vestiges of the former ruling Pheu Thai party are now merely warming seats for whatever comes next.
A new nationwide election scheduled for July 20 seem unlikely to go ahead unless the street protests are resolved, one way or another.
Khun Suthep wants the Shinawatra family removed from Thailand's politics for good.
The street movement to topple the government has been running close to empty since the fall of Khun Yingluck but today's deadline declaration by Khun Suthep is likely to breathe a final burst of defiance into his followers.
This week, the Senate - all that remains of Thailand's Parliament - failed to follow through on Khun Suthep's suggestion of appointing a neutral interim Prime Minister, and called instead for further submissions from the caretaker government.
Disappointed at that outcome, Khun Suthep called today's meeting of all representatives of the People's Democratic Reform Committee from around the country to construct their own end game.
Planning will conclude on May 22 to make way for three days of street protests, followed by what Khun Suthep hopes on May 26 will be the announcement of an agreed plan for a reformed Thailand.
If not, he will face treason and other charges the following day.
Best statement he has made so far. Unfortunately if one looks at the track record of his previous pledges, there's little chance he would actually and finally just shut up and fade away.
Same applies to the loudmouth from the other camp, Jatuporn. These men with bloated egos have been preaching discord and division among Thais which has only polarized the nation further and made matters far worse for everyone.
Time to surrender their egos for the good of the nation. May both fall silent.
Posted by ThaiMike on May 17, 2014 18:42