Protesters issue 24-hour ultimatum to Thai PM

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(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-09 14:31

BANGKOK -- Leaders of the anti-government protests in Bangkok Wednesday evening issued 24-hour ultimatum to the Prime Minister and three Privy Council members to resign unconditionally as the scheduled three-day mass rally continues, Thai News Agency reported Thursday.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) issued the statement in the evening as the red-shirted demonstrators assembled in front of Privy Council President Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda's residence.

Protesters issue 24-hour ultimatum to Thai PM
Policemen stand guard outside the home of Prem Tinsulanonda, chief advisor to King Bhumibol Adulyadej as supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra rally, in Bangkok April 8, 2009.[Xinhua]

According to the news agency, Core UDD leader Jatuporn Promphan said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda and other two council members have 24 hours to make response, and if they do not step down, "severe pressure will be imposed."

The UDD, however, will not seize Government House or Bangkok's airports like what their rival, People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) or the "Yellow Shirts", did last year, said Jatuporn.

Abhisit has dismissed the challenge, saying the ultimatum by UDD's self-styled democracy-advocates was quite impractical.

Wednesday's mass rally has been scheduled by UDD as a final "showdown" to the government, and since around nine clock in the morning, red-clad people have begun to assemble and march toward main demonstration locations.

Deputy Metropolitan Police chief Lt Gen Jakthip Chaijinda confirmed the number of protesters has surpassed 100,000 by 6 pm Wednesday.

Ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra over the past week addressed through video-link the red shirts, accusing the mentioned Privy Council member for masterminding the 2006 coup that toppled his government, calling on his supporters to join this mass rally.

The latest round of protests in Bangkok has entered the 14th day, and since March 27 all of the entrances of the Government House have been blocked by the anti-government protesters, preventing Abhisit and his cabinet ministers from entering to work.