Thai Labor Minister Threatens to Crack Down on Protesters

Xinhua news agency quoted the Nation newspaper as saying that Thailand's caretaker Labor Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung on February 17 threatened to suppress protesters at any protest area if they gathered in small groups.

As head of the Thai government's Center for Maintaining Peace and Order, Mr. Chamlerm said the crackdown would be carried out against protesters because protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban had broken his previous commitment to only protest at certain locations.

Thai riot police deployed near Government House in Bangkok. (Source: AFP/VNA)

He also confirmed information that on the same morning, leader Suthep led thousands of protesters to surround the Thai Government House to prevent the acting prime minister from returning to work at this headquarters.

On the same day, another group of protesters also stormed the Ministry of Education headquarters and forced ministry officials to stop working and go home.

Earlier on February 16, Minister Chalerm announced that from February 17, police forces will be deployed to regain control of five protest areas in Bangkok from protesters, including an area near the Government House./.

According to VNA