Caretaker PM's last workday for 2013 in Thai North

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND, December 27 (TNA) - On her last workday for 2013 on December 27, Thailand's Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra remained in Chiang Mai Province, her hometown, in the Thai North and prohibited politicians and election candidates of her ruling Pheu Thai Party from accompanying her to prevent legal problems. Yingluck visited the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Center on Friday morning, where she called a meeting with officials concerned to be briefed on progress of her government's projects, including those on farming and agricultural zoning and transport projects. A close aide of the caretaker prime minister told journalists that Yingluck was following up existing projects and monitoring the domestic political situation and she will spend New Year holidays with her family in the northern Thai region. Yingluck was calm and then told reporters briefly that she had not signed an order to establish her administration-proposed National Reform Council. Meanwhile, Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha told his subordinates in an insignia ceremony that national security is the responsibility of all parties, not only the Royal Thai Armed Forces, but the Thai military should be ready to protect the nation, religion, the royalty and the public, while functioning in the way that makes people have faith in it.(TNA)