No timeframe for "Bangkok shutdown":PDRC

BANGKOK, January 13 (TNA) - The anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has announced that it has no definite timeframe for its end of "Bangkok shutdown", aimed at paralyzing the capital to pressure the caretaker government to resign and to push for a domestic political reform. PDRC Secretary-General Suthep Thaugsuban, who is also a former deputy prime minister of the Democrat Party, told journalists of the stance on Monday, stressing that his supporters will stay overnight on streets indefinitely. Suthep insisted that his group will never negotiate or accept any proposal of the caretaker government no matter whatever reason it will raise, even if it would be about the postponement of the new general election date from February 2, 2014. Suthep said his group's persistent demonstrations are believed to be safe, as PDRC core leaders have stationed at each protest location to take care of supporters and to handle the situation. Seven spots in Bangkok where PDRC protesters have camped in, starting from Monday morning, include Pathumwan, Ratchaprasong, Asok and Saladaeng Intersections, as well as the Victory Monument, Chaeng Wattana Road in front of the Government Complex and Phaholyothin Road in front of the TMB Bank head office. Amid the domestic political strife, Dr. Narong Sahametapat, Permanent Secretary for Public Health met public health officials nationwide through a video conference to ask them to provide medical services to everyone equally and ethically, following reports on a possible confrontation between anti and pro-government groups in many areas, while having deployed ambulances at 26 spots in the capital. The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) also set up an ad-hoc center to closely monitor the updated situation and to ensure continual and smooth electricity supply in Bangkok and adjacent provinces, as crisis response measures have been put in good place to handle any possible power disruption. Meanwhile, the caretaker government has invited all parties concerned, including the PDRC, to hold talks in Bangkok on January 15 to discuss a solution to the ongoing domestic political turbulence.(TNA)