A prominent Thai Opposition leader, who has been leading protests against the government for the past few weeks, on Friday set December 9 as the ‘D-Day’ for the mass campaign to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and vowed to surrender to authorities if the action fails.
After two days of relative calm to honour revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who turned 86 yesterday, former deputy premier Suthep Suagsuban said late tonight that he would lead protesters to the Government House on Monday. “If the people do not come out, I will surrender to go to jail. I will not fight anymore,” Suthep said in a speech to supporters. “live or die, lose or win — we will know on Monday December 9.”
Suthep, who has been accused of sedition, said protesters will not force into the Government House with the intention to occupy it. He called on people to leave their offices or houses and join the demonstrations to show their support to uproot the ‘Thaksin Regime’ as well as what he alleged was the corrupt and illegitimate government of Yingluck Shinawatra.