Amid shutdown, Yingluck offers an olive branch

BANGKOK — As thousands of protesters seized key intersections across the Thai capital, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra yesterday invited leaders of anti-government protesters and political parties to discuss a proposal by the Election Commission (EC) to push back the date of the snap election originally called for Feb 2.

Ministers had until now said a delay would be impossible under the Constitution, but the EC has said it could be postponed. One member has suggested May 4 as a possible date.

“The Prime Minister thinks that there are still some unclear points in the EC’s proposal. The best way is to meet and discuss it,” said Mr Suranand Vejjajiva, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, adding that Ms Yingluck hoped the meeting could be held tomorrow.

There was no immediate response from demonstrators, but protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said: “You cannot mediate with this undertaking ... In this undertaking, there’s only win or lose ... today, we must cleanse Thailand.”

Earlier yesterday, tens of thousands of protesters began their drive to shut down Bangkok, a city of 12 million people, at the start of a renewed push to derail next month’s election and overthrow Ms Yingluck. However, life continued in most places, with a majority of businesses and shops open.

The intensified protests were peaceful and even festive, as swarms of people blew whistles, waved Thai flags and spread out tents and picnic mats at seven key crossroads, where demonstrators wearing bandanas and sunglasses turned cars back.

Still, the protests raise the stakes in a long-running crisis that has killed at least eight people in the last two months and fuelled fears of more bloodshed and an army coup.

“Don’t ask me how long this occupation will last,” Mr Suthep said in a speech to supporters. “We will not stop until we win.”

The turmoil is the latest chapter in an eight-year conflict pitting Bangkok’s middle class and royalist establishment against the mostly poorer, rural supporters of Ms Yingluck and her self-exiled brother, billionaire and former Premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin was ousted by the army in 2006 and sentenced to jail in absentia for abuse of power in 2008, but the former telecoms tycoon looms large over Thai politics and is the dominant force behind his sister’s administration from his home in Dubai.

In a bid to end the unrest, Ms Yingluck called a snap election for Feb 2, but Mr Suthep has rejected the poll, which her Puea Thai Party is expected to win.

The government has deployed 10,000 police officers to maintain law and order, along with 8,000 soldiers at government offices. Protesters have said they plan to surround Cabinet ministries to prevent them from functioning.

Top officials from the Foreign Ministry, which once occupied a neoclassical palace, were relocated yesterday to a modest room in a half-deserted Bangkok convention centre — one of the government’s many back-up arrangements. “We roam around,” said Mr Sek Wannamethee, Director-General of the ministry’s information department. “Tomorrow, we might have to find another place.”

That is because the convention centre sits next door to Thailand’s stock exchange, which protesters have threatened to target next as part of their campaign.

Meanwhile, in Lumpini Park in central Bangkok, protesters had erected hundreds of closely packed, brand new tents in anticipation of what could be a long stand-off.

As the first day of the shutdown drew to a close, a crowd of several thousands, including farmers from the south and workers from nearby office buildings, gathered near a stage to hear speeches and jeer at Ms Yingluck’s government.

As the light faded, the carnival atmosphere was tempered by apprehension that provocateurs could attack the camp, said Mr Thanat Thanakitamnuay, a Maserati-driving protest leader who is the grandson of former Deputy Premier Amnuay Viravan.

“We expect a few home-made bombs or rounds fired at us, but we don’t expect any serious injuries, or injuries at all,” he said, before adding, laughing: “I’m just being optimistic.”

“As soon as the situation gets out of hand, the army will step in,” he said.

Rumours of a coup are rife. The military has staged or attempted 18 coups in 81 years of on-off democracy, although it has tried to stay neutral this time and army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha has publicly refused to take sides. AGENCIES