Thailand's Caretaker PM insists on staying in office

BANGKOK, March 6 (TNA) - Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has reiterated that she is to continue staying in office until a new Thai government is formed after the general election on February 2, 2014. Yingluck told journalists while visiting Sakon Nakhon Province in the Thai Northeast on Thursday that she would continue performing her duties until, at least, a ruling by Bangkok's Constitution Court on the status of her caretaker government, as requested by anti-government protesters after the House of Representatives is unable to convene within 30 days after the February 2 general election, as stated in the Constitution, so that elected MPs can vote for a new Thai prime minister within another 30 days. Regarding her discussions with Royal Thai Armed Forces chiefs in Bangkok earlier in the week, including Army Commander-in-Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, Yingluck acknowledged she requested the army chief to order soldiers posting in economic areas in Bangkok to place bunkers properly in order not to frighten international tourists and to also help uphold the national image, insisting that she is not worried over a military coup as it is useless for the nation. On separatism allegedly called by some people, Yingluck stressed that it is also unnecessary to discuss the issue with the Thai military, as her caretaker government has repeatedly stood firm it does not favour or support separating the country. Besides, the caretaker prime minister denied reports on obtaining a Montenegro nationality, affirming that she is still holding a Thai nationality and ID card. Meanwhile, the army chief assured the public that Thai soldiers will continue maintaining security at 176 places in Bangkok, urging rival parties not to use violence as it could deteriorate the national situation, but they should fight within the national judicial system. In another related development, Sathit Segal, a leading Indian-Thai businessman, has asked his lawyer and his younger brother, Athit Segal, to file an appeal to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, after Caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan had signed to revoke his residential status and the caretaker government-run Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order (CMPO) issued an order for his deportation. Sathit argued in the written appeal that he was not given a chance to defend himself, as he was not called in nor received any official documentation about the matter. Sathit also claimed that he did not violate the executive decree, imposed in all areas in Bangkok and some areas in neighbouring provinces, during his political involvement with the anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).(TNA)