Thai premier snubs calls for resignation amid protests
Iran Press TV
Tue Jan 14, 2014 3:41PM GMT
Thailand Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says she will not step down, despite growing calls by the opposition protesters for her resignation.
Yingluck told reporters in Bangkok that she has a constitutional duty to stay on as prime minister.
'I've stressed many times I have a duty to act according to my responsibility after the dissolving of parliament. I have the responsibility of acting as caretaker. I'd like to say right now, I am not holding on (to my position), but I have to maintain political stability,' she told reporters on Tuesday.
The remarks come as thousands of opposition protesters are back on the streets to push for their demands, including the resignation of the premier and the constitution reform.
Meanwhile, the protest leader, former deputy premier, Suthep Thaugsuban, has threatened to detain his rival if she does not step down soon.
'In two to three days, we'll close all of the government offices. But if they remain steadfast, we'll detain the prime minister and other ministers.'
Premier Yingluck dissolved the lower house of the parliament last month. She has also called for snap elections on February 2 in an effort to ease tensions.
Protests started in Thailand on October 31, 2013, after the government proposed an amnesty bill that could have pardoned former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, setting the scene for his return to the country.
Weeks of violent demonstrations in Thailand have left eight people dead and hundreds wounded.
JR/PR/SS
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