BANGKOK, March 3 – Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said demonstrators would disperse and return home in case the political dispute becomes civil war.
“If the conflict escalates to a civil war after pro-government forces are out on the street, it will be the military and police responsibilities in dealing the situation, not us,” he said on stage at Lumpini last night.
Mr Suthep, secretary general of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), made his daily speech at Lumpini stage after rallies at Pathumwan, Ratchaprasong, Silom and Asoke were moved to a single site there.
The rally venues on Chaeng Wattana Road, led by Buddhist monk Phra Buddha Issara; on Rajdamnoen Avenue, organised by the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand, and at the Phan Fah Bridge by the Dhamma Army remained intact.
Mr Suthep said caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has to resign, or go to jail if she insists on staying in office.
“If she rejects both options, it’s possible she may assign civilian forces to start a civil war. If that is the case, I will simply tell people to return home. It’s the duties of the military and police to suppress rebels,” he said.
He said PDRC protesters would continue their pressure and offensive operations against the Shinawatra family’s businesses and dissuade civil servants from working for the Thaksin regime from today onwards.
