Suthep promises to shutdown Bangkok indefinitely

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban takes to the stage at Asok on Monday and moved to other rally sites before ending his visit at Pathumwan intersection.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban vowed on Monday to shutdown Bangkok until the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) wins its battle to oust the caretaker government.

Bangkok Post reporters follow PDRC leader Suthep and his supporters as the first day of his Bangkok Shutdown mission unfolds. Video by Jetjaras Na Ranong and Prapasri Vasuhirun.

"We will shut down the city. We will do it all days and we will do it everyday until we win,'' he told protesters at Pathumwan intersection.

Security authorities and the caretaker government have predicted that the campaign to paralyse the capital will run out of steam after three days. Red-shirt leaders gave the protests a week at most, arguing that Bangkok residents will lose their patience as the street rally starts to take its toll on their lives.

"We will prove them wrong,'' Mr Suthep said.

The protest leader said the demonstrations are not intended to disrupt the lives of people in Bangkok since their main target is to block the work of government officials. Demonstrators will close all government offices, he added.

Mr Suthep praised the Public Health Ministry's defiance against the caretaker government and added that other agencies could follow its example.

The rallies will have the least possible impact on the economy and Bangkok, he went on.

Mr Suthep reiterated his no-compromise position with the caretaker government but said he does want to see an end to the political deadlock.

He did not elaborate on the details of talks with caretaker government officials.

"No negotiations. No compromise,'' he said.

The PDRC demands the resignation of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her cabinet to clear the way for the setting up of an interim administration. Under the PDRC's proposals, a people's council would be set up to undertake reform before a new general election is held.

The PDRC argues that the general election scheduled for Feb 2 is not legitimate and should not be allowed to go ahead. The Democrat Party is also boycotting the polls.