Thai Protesters Vacate Interior Ministry

BANGKOK, May 4 (TNA) - A large crowds of village chiefs from nationwide early Sunday gathered at the Interior Ministry building in the Thai capital after anti-government protesters decided to vacate the compound they seized almost six months ago in a bid to pressure the caretaker government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down. Anti-government protesters of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) began leaving the compound of the ministry last night following talks between PDRC and the State Enterprises Workers’ Relations Confederation (SEWRC) leaders with national police chief Pol. Gen. Adul Saengsingkaew. The SEWRC is a faction under the PDRC. Combined police and army personnel have now moved into the ministry compound while a newly appointed committee is scheduled to inspect damages inside the building, if any, this Thursday. The handover of the ministry by the protesters without any conditions is seen as an attempt by the protesters to avoid clashes with angry village chiefs. Caretaker Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan , who led the village chiefs in marching to the Interior Ministry and seized back his office, stood on a truck and thanked village headmen and the ministry officials via a loudspeaker. Mr. Charupong said the mission to retake the ministry building is now accomplished and the only way to solve political deadlock facing the country is to organise a fresh general election in order to respect the voice of 65 million people in the country. The fresh poll is scheduled to be held on July 20. (TNA)