Thailand protest leader to appoint new gov't after ousting PM

BANGKOK, April 6 (TNA) - Suthep Thaugsuban, secretary-general of anti-government People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), has said that his movement would put effort in toppling the caretaker government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, set up sovereignty and eventually “seize assets of the Shinawatra family”. In an address to his supporters rallying at Bangkok’s Lumpini Park on Saturday night, Mr. Suthep said the final battle of the protesters would start immediately after the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission rules that Miss Yingluck is guilty on her government-sponsored rice-pledging scheme. He said the PDRC would then declare a sovereignty, “seize assets of the Shinawatra family” to be followed with appointing a prime minister and the cabinet and present the list for His Majesty the King for the royal approval. A national legislative assembly will be established, said Mr. Suthep, adding that a “people’council” will be formed later and only then the power will be returned to the people. Meanwhile, Nuttawut Saikuar, secretary-general of the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), attacked remarks made by Mr. Suthep, saying that he would not allow Mr. Suthep to seize the sovereign from the Thais. Mr. Nuttawut, also caretaker deputy commerce minister, told pro-government demonstrators now gathering on Aksa Road in Bangkok’s neighbouring province of Nakhon Pathom that he was wondering what army chief Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha would do if Mr. Suthep has an objective on achieving sovereignty and whether the general would report to Mr. Suthep. Majority of the people would oppose and stand up to fight, Mr. Nuttawut added. (TNA)