PDRC adds new rally target: Shinawatra businesses

PDRC adds new rally target: Shinawatra businesses

Anti-government protesters join Suthep Thaugsuban for a rally at the Office of Defence Permanent Secretary at Muang Thong Thani on Wednesday.
Anti-government protesters join Suthep Thaugsuban for a rally at the Office of Defence Permanent Secretary at Muang Thong Thani on Wednesday.

After deciding to dog caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has now set its sights on business firms related to the Shinawatra family.

Anti-government protesters stop at the Royal Thai Police Sports Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on their way back from a protest at the Office of the Permanent Secretary for Defence at Muang Thong Thani. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)

PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Wednesday named SC Asset among the businesses to face protests and warned investors to withdraw their investments from those firms.

Shinawatra family members led by Paetongtarn are major shareholders of the listed firm as of May 8, 2013, according to the Settrade.com website.

Ms Yingluck was the SC Asset chief executive officer before stepping down to run under the Pheu Thai Party banner as the number one party-list candidate.

Suthep Thaugsuban addresses the crowd at Muang Thong Thani on Wednesday. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

Mr Suthep on Wednesday led about 20,000 protesters to block Ms Yingluck from entering the Office of the Defence Permanent Secretary at Muang Thong Thani, which she has been using for cabinet meetings.

The march from the PDRC main rally site at Pathumwan intersection followed its decision to seal Government House on Monday.

Gen Nipat Thonglek, the permanent secretary for defence, ordered officials to ensure security for Ms Yingluck before her scheduled arrival on Wednesday morning for a meeting, but Ms Yingluck and her caretaker cabinet ministers later changed their plans.

''We will follow the prime minister wherever she is. I can confirm that Government House will not be opened for her to go inside,'' Mr Suthep said.

Mr Suthep held talks with Gen Apichart Saengrungruang, director of the Defence Industry and Energy Centre, at Muang Thong Thani and repeated his call for the armed forces to side with demonstrators to quickly wrap up the campaign to oust the prime minister and end Thaksin's influence.

But Gen Apichart insisted on no military involvement in settling the conflict, saying that political problems should be resolved by political means.

Mr Suthep also rallied in front of the Royal Thai Police Sports Club and Shinwatra 3 Building on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on his way back to Pathumwan.

The club is the office of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order and the building houses the SC Asset head office.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit urged military leaders to come out to protect Ms Yingluck from being a target of the PRDC as she also holds the defence minister position.

''I'm asking all military leaders: Why you don't protect Ms Yingluck, who as the defence minister is their commander, when she is being targeted by Mr Suthep?'' he said.

Video by Pattanapong Hirunard

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