(1 January) Spokesman of the anti-government protest leadership has said the details of the plan to shutdown Bangkok is known only to its leader, Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban.
The People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State (PCAD) has previously threatened to put Bangkok in a massive gridlock "after New Year" as the means to pressure the government into canceling the upcoming general election.
PCAD leaders have demanded for a drastic reform to be implemented and an unelected ?People′s Council? installed as a transitional government before any election is allowed to take place, arguing that the current political system is rigged in favour of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her allies.
However, ever since he announced the plan to shutdown Bangkok last week, Mr. Suthep has not disclosed specific details of the strategy. Government officials warned that Mr. Suthep is intending to disrupt major roads and public transportation such as the BTS or the MRT.
But PCAD spokesman, Mr. Ekkanat Prompan, said in a press conference today that Mr. Suthep′s grand strategy of Bangkok shutdown has been "misinterpreted" in the media.
He denied that the PCAD is planning to shutdown public transportation as reported in the press, adding that the public should wait for Mr. Suthep himself to make announcements about the strategy in the future, since Mr. Suthep is the only one with a full knowledge of the plan.
Mr. Ekkanat also said the PCAD has sent representatives to visit injured protesters who are currently admitted in hospitals.
The protesters, who have been camping on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in Bangkok, have been visibly fewer in number during the New Year holiday season. The protest site has also been converted into a fun fair featuring game stalls and musicians performing on the rally stage.
Correction: Due to an editorial error, the name of the anti-government protest leadership appeared as ?People′s Committee for Absolute Monarchy With the King As Head of State?. It should have read ?People′s Committee for Absolute Democracy With the King As Head of State?. The mistake has now been fixed.
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