BANGKOK, Dec 4 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has outlined a blueprint to reform Thailand which calls, among other items, for the recruitment of non-partisan representatives to join a so-called “people’s council” and restructuring of the national police system.
In a speech at the Government Complex last night, he proposed naming an interim prime minister and Cabinet, which he said is possible under Section 7 of the Constitution.
He called for a decentralised system which requires elections of all provincial governors before a general election is held.
“After the groundwork is done, a general election can be organised and the people’s council will be dissolved,” he said.
He said anti-government protesters’ unarmed seizures of the Metropolitan Police Command and Government House were a victory but incomplete “unless the Thaksin regime is totally uprooted.”
“We will have to continue working in harmony until the Thaksin regime is eradicated. Civil servants nationwide must carry on their strike until the administrative system is paralysed,” he said.
“The people’s total victory has yet to materialise since the Yingluck government still unlawfully holds on to power.”
He said the People’s Democratic Reform Committee will organise celebrations at three separate locations – Ratchdamnoen Avenue, the Finance Ministry on Soi Aree and the Government Complex on Chaengwattana Road – to mark His Majesty the King’s birthday anniversary.
“This is the time to show our loyalty to the King. It will be the greatest celebration ever,” he declared. “We’ll resume the fight on Friday and will carry on until we win.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said the situation has yet to return to normal but has improved, calling on the authorities to non-violently handle the protesters and avoid confrontations.
She said academics, businessmen and people from all professions have been invited to jointly find resolutions for Thailand and reform the country in accord with the democratic system under the monarchy.
“We need to find the best resolutions so that the country moves on with confidence and a strengthened economy,” she said.
Thai people should turn to each other and harmoniously show their loyalty to His Majesty the King on his birthday anniversary,” she said.
Police confirmed five people were killed in Ramkhamhaeng area since Saturday.
Dr Narong Sahametapat, permanent secretary for public health, reported that 263 injured in clashes between protesters and the authorities between Saturday and Tuesday.
