Thai protest leader demands PM Yingluck Shinawatra to step down

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http://www.smh.com.au/world/thai-crisis-deepens--protest-leader-demands-pm-yingluck-shinawatra-step-down-20131201-2yjw3.html

A Buddhist monk raises his hands in a bid to stop
policemen firing tear gas in Bangkok on Sunday.

Leaders of Thailand’s anti-government protest movement have urged a nation-wide strike starting on Monday after violent street clashes across the Thai capital that left at least four people dead and scores injured.

Thai security forces have been unable to put down a so-called “people’s coup” of protesters agitating to overthrow the government of Ms Yingluck. The prime minister was forced to flee a sand-bagged police compound on Sunday.

The leader of Thailand’s anti-government movement has issued an ultimatum to prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra to dismantle her administration within two days.

Suthep Thaugsuban told Ms Yingluck she must hand-over power to a so-called “people’s assembly” in a late Sunday night meeting that was co-ordinated by Thailand’s army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha.

“I told Yingluck that this meeting, which will the first and last one, is not for any discussion or negotiation but it’s a meeting to tell her that the people want power back and people will manage the power by themselves,” Mr Suthep later told supporters.

Mr Suthep said he told Ms Yingluck that a people’s assembly would create a new electoral system and then call fresh elections.

The government has yet to comment on the meeting.

If the situation continues to worsen the country’s powerful armed forces could intervene days ahead of Thursday's 86th birthday of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, a sensitive day in Thailand.

Army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha on Sunday urged Ms Yingluck and Mr Suthep to hold talks and called on police to stop using tear gas on demonstrators.

The military has staged 18 coups of attempted coups since the 1930s.