CHIANG MAI, Dec 26 – Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra today vowed to do her best to sustain a stable political situation and delicately dealing with protesters under international standards.
She turned down a challenge by protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban for a public debate on national reform, urging the former Democrat MP and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee of which he is secretary general to discuss it in the government-initiated reform forum.
Mr Suthep on Wednesday invited Ms Yingluck to a political debate following her announcement to set up a 499-member reform assembly.
Ms Yingluck gave assurances that the reform forum, in which all civic quarters are welcome, will be neutral and the government will provide conveniences to all participants.
A reporter asked if she felt heavy-hearted and whether she could maintain the situation.
Tears brimming her eyes, Ms Yingluck said she would do her best and the government’s proposals are never too late to resolve the country’s conflicts.
She likened the situation to a rocky road on which “we have to walk for it’s the only road available.”
“It’s better than walking in the jungle though it’s a short cut,” she said.
Ms Yingluck will be staying in her native province of Chiang Mai with her family until the New Year while protesters are demonstrating at her Bangkok residence today.
