Thai caretaker PM vows to continue to perform duties

Thai caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Tuesday pledged to continue to perform caretaking duties in accordance with the constitution until a new prime minister is elected. In a statement made after a special cabinet meeting, Yingluck pleaded with the public to protect democracy, and urged protesters to stop the rally, and all to start preparing for the next general election slated for Feb. 2, 2014, reported the Xinhua news agency. Yingluck said she had made every compromise possible, and wished to be treated fairly. On Monday night, anti-government protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban asked Yingluck and cabinet ministers to resign as caretakers within 24 hours. Suthep also urged protests to last for another three days. Protesters have demanded the incumbent government be replaced by an unelected "people's council" and an interim administration formed by non-politicians. As they have envisioned, the council and administration will be dissolved after implementing a political reform for about 1-1.5 years and then a general election will be called. Hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in various processions to besiege the Government House on Monday. No conflicts were reported between the police and protesters. In the morning, only about 1,000 people were rallying outside the Government House.