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Thai leader hints he may step down
Thailand's prime minister hinted on Wednesday that he would consider stepping down from the post temporarily, after weeks of raucous demonstrations accusing him of corruption and demanding his resignation.Critics have suggested that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra step aside before April 2 parliamentary elections and appoint a neutral replacement to oversee proposed reforms to the constitution, a move that would defuse growing protests. Asked about that proposal, Thaksin said: "It is a good proposal, and I am considering this." "This does not mean that I would bow to mob rule. I have to take some time to consider and decide what to do, because I have a duty to complete my mission," he said, during a campaign tour in the northeastern province of Buriram, where both he and his party remain popular. Thousands of protesters camped overnight near Thaksin's office in Bangkok, vowing to continue demonstrations daily until he resigns. They suspended their vigil early Wednesday with plans to reconvene in the evening. The demonstrators, who accuse Thaksin of corruption and power abuse, said they will stay outside Government House despite the prime minister's earlier announcement that he's ready to declare an official state of emergency if protests turn violent. "If Thaksin doesn't quit, we won't leave," shouted one protest leader, publisher Sondhi Limthongkul, from a mobile stage atop a truck parked by Thaksin's office. The marathon protest was peaceful as it entered its second evening. Tens of thousands of protesters have held regular weekend rallies demanding Thaksin resign, accusing the tycoon-turned-politician of corruption, mishandling a Muslim insurgency in the south, stifling the media and allowing cronies to gain from state policies. "I will base my decision on what is good for the nation, and not make a decision based on pressure from various groups," he said Wednesday in Buriram. "I am not a man who clings to power, but since I still have duty to accomplish I will have to be very careful and consider all aspects." It was not clear whether he had a timeframe in mind or a specific plan to step down. Thaksin had warned that he will declare a state of emergency if protests turn violent, but later said that it was no longer necessary. Asked earlier what the government will do if the protest is prolonged, he said, "It's all right. I will continue to do my work." Estimates on the numbers of protesters Tuesday ranged from about 35,000 by police to 200,000 by organizers. Thaksin has also been drawing big crowds at his campaign rallies, including what reporters estimated as tens of thousands of people Tuesday at a college campus in the northeastern province of Buriram. "The protesters lay siege to the government now they are blocking me from going back to my office," Thaksin told them in a speech. "Only you can help me back to Government House by voting for my party on April 2." Thaksin still has overwhelming support among Thailand's rural poor who have benefited from his populist policies. Posted by: Dan Darling 2006-03-15 |
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