Thailand: On The Edge of Political Crisis

As thousands rally against the prime minister, we ask if the country is entering a new chapter of political instability.




Thai opposition protesters are intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down. They have laid siege to government ministries and state buildings in the biggest street demonstrations since 2010 when more than 90 people were killed in a military crackdown. The prime minister is also facing a vote of no confidence from members of parliament.

She is the sister of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been living in exile since being convicted of corruption. Protesters argue he is still effectively running the country, and using his sister as a puppet prime minister.

Tens of thousands of protesters have filled the streets of Bangkok and Yingluck Shinawatra has used an emergency law to tighten security in the capital, but says the government will not use force against demonstrators.

She also defended her leadership, saying: "I insist that there is only one cabinet, with me as the prime minister. There are some accusations that I lack independence, and that I lack intelligence, and have to be controlled by pushing a button. I have to say, have I not been independent in the past two years that I administered the country as the head of the government, which all of you may have learned while we went through all those crises.