The planned mass rally to shut down the whole of Bangkok will begin on Jan 13 at 9am, anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday night.
Mr Suthep made the announcement in a speech delivered to protesters at Democracy Monument.
The People's Democratic Reform Committee will hold demonstrations across Bangkok on Jan 5-8 to invite people to join its protest movement to demand the resignation of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and to help achieve its aim of “reform-before-election”.
The city siege plan may take 5 days or it may go for 20 days and will be around the clock, Mr Suthep said. The PDRC will expand key areas for major and minor rally sites from 15 on Dec 22 to 20, in addition to its main base at Democracy Monument. Twenty protest stages will be set up at major junctions and intersections across the capital.
“For PRDC supporters in other provinces, you have 12 days to pack your suitcases for this city siege operation because this trip and the fight will be prolonged. Anyone finding it not convenient to come to Bangkok can carry on in your provinces. On Jan 13, no government affairs will be carried out from that day on,” Mr Suthep said.
He threatened to cut electricity and tap water to homes of caretaker ministers and at all government office buildings and vowed victory over the government would be achieved this month..