Thai Premier Dismisses Ultimatum to Step down
Appearing on national TV, Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva has dismissed demonstrator’s demands to resign by midday and call elections, reported BBC.
Tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators had assembled outside the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Battalion barracks in the north of the Thai capital where Abhisit was holed up.
As demonstrators deadline for him to quit passed, Abhisit, flanked by ministers and coalition allies, appeared on national television, report said.
“The protesters have demanded that I dissolve the house before midday (0500 GMT) today, but the coalition parties agree the demand cannot be met,” he was quoted as saying.
“Elections must be held under common rules and genuine calm. We have to listen to other people’s voices, not just the protesters.”
Abhisit then left the army base by helicopter, saying he wanted to inspect the traffic, report said.
Ousted ex-PM Thakshin Shinawatra led the rally of protestors, which is one the largest in recent years.
In the protest, which has been peaceful otherwise, two soldiers were injured when grenades blew off inside another army base, said report.
According to the report, an army spokesman said that grenades seemed to be fired into the compound, adding that it was not yet know who was responsible.
Report said that as many as 50,000 soldiers and policemen were deployed in Bankok and several thousand extra soldiers were sent to the barracks to strengthen security.
