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Yingluck Shinawatra, the Thai prime minister, insists she will not quit Yingluck Shinawatra, the Thai prime minister, insists she will not quit
(35 minutes later)
Thailand's prime minister insisted on Tuesday she would not quit as protesters seeking her ousting blocked arterial roads in Bangkok for a second day.Thailand's prime minister insisted on Tuesday she would not quit as protesters seeking her ousting blocked arterial roads in Bangkok for a second day.
Demonstrators had pledged to shut down the city of 12 million people, but life in most of the vast metropolis was unaffected, with school classes restarting, commuters heading to work and most businesses open.Demonstrators had pledged to shut down the city of 12 million people, but life in most of the vast metropolis was unaffected, with school classes restarting, commuters heading to work and most businesses open.
The south-east Asian nation's latest bout of unrest began late last year and the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has tried to ease it by dissolving parliament and calling for new elections, to take place on 2 February.The south-east Asian nation's latest bout of unrest began late last year and the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has tried to ease it by dissolving parliament and calling for new elections, to take place on 2 February.
There are growing doubts that the vote will take place, however, and protesters and the main opposition, the Democrat party, are calling for a boycott. Yingluck's opponents are demanding she step aside so an interim, unelected government can implement reforms before an election.There are growing doubts that the vote will take place, however, and protesters and the main opposition, the Democrat party, are calling for a boycott. Yingluck's opponents are demanding she step aside so an interim, unelected government can implement reforms before an election.
"I've stressed many times I have a duty to act according to my responsibility after the dissolution of parliament," Yingluck told reporters. "I'd like to say right now I am not holding on (to my position) but I have to keep political stability. I'm doing my duty to preserve democracy." "I've stressed many times I have a duty to act according to my responsibility after the dissolution of parliament," Yingluck told reporters. "I'd like to say right now I am not holding on [to my position] but I have to keep political stability. I'm doing my duty to preserve democracy."
Yingluck proposed to meet on Wednesday with groups including the opposition to discuss a proposal from the election commission to postpone the February vote. But protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, the Democrats and even the election commission have refused to take part.Yingluck proposed to meet on Wednesday with groups including the opposition to discuss a proposal from the election commission to postpone the February vote. But protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, the Democrats and even the election commission have refused to take part.
Yingluck said all sides need to discuss reform because "the country is in pain and the people are suffering".Yingluck said all sides need to discuss reform because "the country is in pain and the people are suffering".
Protesters accuse her government of corruption and misrule, and for being the puppet of her older brother, the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was toppled by the army in a peaceful coup in 2006 and lives in self-imposed exile to avoid prison for corruption.Protesters accuse her government of corruption and misrule, and for being the puppet of her older brother, the former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was toppled by the army in a peaceful coup in 2006 and lives in self-imposed exile to avoid prison for corruption.
The poor majority in Thailand's countryside, however, broadly supports Thaksin and his family because of the populist policies he implemented, including virtually free health care.The poor majority in Thailand's countryside, however, broadly supports Thaksin and his family because of the populist policies he implemented, including virtually free health care.
Ever since Thaksin's overthrow, the two sides have been dueling for power, sometimes violently. At least eight people have been killed and hundreds injured in the latest unrest. Ever since Thaksin's overthrow, the two sides have been duelling for power, sometimes violently. At least eight people have been killed and hundreds injured in the latest unrest.
Yingluck's opponents know she would win another election and have called for an unelected "people's council" to amend laws to fight corruption in politics and institute other reforms, while an appointed prime minister would help administer the country for up to two years.Yingluck's opponents know she would win another election and have called for an unelected "people's council" to amend laws to fight corruption in politics and institute other reforms, while an appointed prime minister would help administer the country for up to two years.
Suthep, who has protested with fiery rhetoric nearly every day for weeks, called on supporters on Tuesday to shut down all government offices and cut water and electricity to the private residences of Yingluck and her cabinet "in the next two or three days".Suthep, who has protested with fiery rhetoric nearly every day for weeks, called on supporters on Tuesday to shut down all government offices and cut water and electricity to the private residences of Yingluck and her cabinet "in the next two or three days".
"If they are still being obstinate, then we will capture them one by one because the people are not interested in fighting for years," he said."If they are still being obstinate, then we will capture them one by one because the people are not interested in fighting for years," he said.
Suthep, who is wanted by the police on charges of insurrection, issued a similar call in late November, urging supporters to seize "every ministry". But the protesters were too few in number and only managed briefly to occupy several government offices and the finance ministry.Suthep, who is wanted by the police on charges of insurrection, issued a similar call in late November, urging supporters to seize "every ministry". But the protesters were too few in number and only managed briefly to occupy several government offices and the finance ministry.
On Tuesday thousands of protesters, many of them southerners from out of town, slept in the streets in tents or on mats.On Tuesday thousands of protesters, many of them southerners from out of town, slept in the streets in tents or on mats.
"Our goal is to get rid of this government," said Preecha Chamdee, a 46-year-old rubber tapper from eastern Rayong province. "An election is not an answer because they will win again. We need reforms.""Our goal is to get rid of this government," said Preecha Chamdee, a 46-year-old rubber tapper from eastern Rayong province. "An election is not an answer because they will win again. We need reforms."
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