Red-shirts on Tuesday rallied outside the home of Chiang Mai Cultural Council president Chao Duangduan na Chiang Mai to demand her resignation after she criticised caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother Thaksin.
Members of Rak Chiang Mai 51 converge outside the home of Chiang Mai Cultural Council president Chao Duangduan na Chiang Mai to demand her resignation following her criticism of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother Thaksin. Post Today photo
Worawut Roojanapinan, leader of the red-shirt group Rak Chiang Mai 51, led about 50 supporters to rally in front of Chiang Mai provincial hall to vent anger after Chao Duangduan claimed former prime minister Thaksin is the root cause of disorder in the country.
The Chiang Mai Cultural Council president also demanded that Ms Yingluck resign from her role as a caretaker premier to pave the way for the national reform.
In a statement read out by Mr Worawut, the group called on Chao Duangduan to step down from her position, citing the fact that her resignation would protect the province’s main cultural organisation from political exploitation.
The protesters said they wanted Yaowares Shinawatra, the younger sister of Thaksin and elder sister of Ms Yingluck, to replace Chao Duangduan. Mrs Yaowares is former president of the National Council of Women of Thailand.
Aggressive measures would be launched to pressure Chao Duangduan to leave her post if she ignored their demand, the statement said.
The group submitted a letter requesting action be taken on the issue to Governor Wichian Puttiwinyu through his deputy Chana Pangpiboon before moving to rally outside Chao Duangduan’s residence near Chiang Mai Tobacco Office in tambon Sriphum, Muang district.
Mr Worawut took to a mobile stage to speak out against Chao Duangduan before the protesters returned home. There were no reports of any physical violence.