AYUTTHAYA - Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Friday she would wait for security clearance before returning to work at Government House.
Riot police are brought in to army officers in reclaiming the area controlled by independent protest groups near Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Friday. (Photo by Apichart Jinakul)
Ms Yingluck, who skipped her routines in Bangkok and took her son to Ayutthaya to make merit in the old capital on Makha Bucha Day, said she would return to office only when it was clear it would not ignite a new round of confrontations with anti-government protesters. Besides, safety measures should remain in place and all facilities must be ready to serve officials who have to follow her back to Government House, she added.
Government House looks ready for reopening after the police cleared the rally site of independent protest groups from Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge and Suan Misakawan intersection on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue on Friday morning.
The caretaker prime minister said the decision to retake the area was made by the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order without her involvement.
Despite the return of the area near the bridge, another group — the Network of Students and Peoples for Reform of Thailand — still has its stage block another access to Government House at Chamai Maruchet bridge.
Ms Yingluck mainly uses the Royal Thai Air Force's headquarters in Don Mueang airport, the army club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road and the Defence Ministry's permanent secretary office in Muang Thong Thani as her makeshift offices for cabinet and security meetings.
Police clear the area on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue hold by independent protesters on Friday. Video by Apichart Jinakul.