THAILAND: BANGKOK: PROTESTORS DEMAND PREMIER'S RESIGNATION (2)

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• published: 21 Jul 2015
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Eng/Thai/Nat About two-thousand protesters demonstrated on Monday in the heart of Bangkok's central business district demanding that Thailand's prime minister step down. At the same time, all 48 ministers in the deeply unpopular government prepared to resign to pave the way for a Cabinet reshuffle. Thailand is currently undergoing its worst financial crisis since World War 2. Hundreds of protesters blocked traffic Monday in the heart of Bangkok's central business district demanding that Thailand's prime minister step down. Meanwhile all 48 ministers in the deeply unpopular government prepared to resign to pave the way for a Cabinet reshuffle. The protesters gathered at lunchtime, knocking over crowd barriers and blocking the busy street while they chanted slogans against the premier for wrecking Thailand's economy. About 100 riot police stood back as the crowd - mostly office workers and businessmen - peacefully protested. Many wore T-shirts printed with Chavalit's face and a caption: "Unwanted!" The protest came as newspapers reported a showdown was looming between Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiudh and Chatichai Choonhavan, leader of the Number 2 party in the coalition that could topple the premier. Local people seem to be at the end of their tether. SOUNDBITE: (Thai) "I can no longer stand such a situation of economic recession." SUPER CAPTION: VOXPOP SOUNDBITE: (Thai) "We've been affected greatly. My colleagues have been laid off because of the economic recession. It's not only my company. It's everywhere." SUPER CAPTION: VOXPOP Protest leaders called for Prem Tinsulanonda, a former prime minister and privy councillor to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, to form a caretaker government until elections can be held under a recently approved constitution aimed at cleaning up political corruption. Leaders of Chavalit's New Aspiration Party and Chatichai's Chart Pattana Party planned separate meetings later Monday, and a major government shakeup was considered imminent. Interior Minister Snoh Thienthong told reporters late Sunday after a meeting of the six coalition party leaders that all Cabinet ministers would submit undated resignation letters to facilitate a reshuffle. The meeting followed Finance Minister Thanong Bidaya's announcement that he would resign once a reshuffle is completed. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I have to state explicitly that I would not resign but I will wait for the new formation of the government, but I would not join the new government." SUPER CAPTION: Thanong Bidaya, Thai Finance Minister The announcement of his resignation came as a serious blow to stability that the ailing economy needs to win back confidence. Thanong is believed to have resigned because of Chavalit's decision to reverse a planned increase in oil taxes to help Thailand maintain a budget surplus in the fiscal year 1998. The surplus is one condition set by the International Monetary Fund for arranging a 17-point-2 (b) billion dollars (U-S) credit line put together in August to bail out the Thai economy. Speaking from Russia, American financier George Soros, who announced plans to help the Yeltsin government with a financial aid package, says he's not sure if he can help Thailand get out of its predicament. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I can't comment on this now because I didn't know that. It must have something to do with the I-M-F package. Maybe they are not willing to meet the conditions of the I-M-F which would justify the fall." SUPER CAPTION: George Soros, financier SOUNDBITE: (English) "I've been out of the picture. It' s very difficult to stay up to date in Ekaterinberg." SUPER CAPTION: George Soros, Greek financier You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/8307d618c7eedb90782bc7c6274fa92e Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork