Thailand informs world community of domestic political developments

BANGKOK, November 26 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs informs the world community of domestic political developments, as the Criminal Court has already approved an arrest warrant against a core leader of street protesters and a former Democrat deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said on Tuesday he first told foreign ministers of several countries while attending an international forum in Bahrain on Monday that the ongoing street demonstrations are against the law. Surapong acknowledged the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also sent letters to the United Nations and the Human Rights Watch to brief them on the domestic political situation. Besides, the deputy premier noted, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is sending letters to five allied world powers, including the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia, which are also permanent members of the UN Security Council, to inform them that the escalated street protest in Thailand currently is unlawful and affects national security. According to the deputy premier, the ongoing street demonstrations are also against the democratic rule because the protesters have seized government offices. The deputy prime minister revealed that 22 countries have issued warnings to their citizens to beware of the street protest in Bangkok, which is feared to affect the domestic tourism. The US Embassy to Thailand has, in the meantime, issued a statement expressing its disagreement with the seizure of government offices by the protesters, as it is undemocratic. The Thai deputy prime minister vowed that Suthep, a former MP of Thailand's main opposition Democrat Party and the leader of the largest group of protesters, must be responsible. The anti-government protesters have occupied government offices since November 25, including the Ministry of Finance, where the Bureau of the Budget is also located, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Public Relations Department. Meanwhile, the Criminal Court approved an arrest warrant against Suthep, as sought by metropolitan police. Suthep was charged with violating Article 215 and 365 of the Criminal Code by leading people to intrude into the compound of the Ministry of Finance on Monday. (TNA)