Thai 'Red Shirts' warn of civil war if unelected PM installed

Thousands of pro-government "Red Shirts" on Saturday warned that any attempt to install an unelected premier could trigger a "civil war" as they massed here to take on rival protesters who have launched a "final battle" after the removal of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Thousands of police officers were on standby for the "Red Shirt" rally on the western outskirts of Bangkok as a large turnout is expected later this evening.

"The Red Shirts cannot accept the undemocratic and unconstitutional appointment of a prime minister," said Jatuporn Prompan, who heads the "Red Shirts".

He warned the Supreme Court and the Senate against discussing "unlawful" demands by the opposition to choose an interim government, saying: "It would be the beginning of a disaster for the country that will lead to civil war."

The anti-government People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) launched its "all-out final battle" after 46-year-old Yingluck, Thailand's only woman premier, was ordered to step down by the Constitutional Court over abuse of power.

Emboldened by the ruling on Wednesday, the protesters intensified their efforts to bring down what remains of Yingluck's administration by laying siege to TV stations, surrounding state offices and demanding lawmakers help them install a non-elected premier.

The protesters, who have been campaigning for over six months for the ouster of the government, want the entire Cabinet to be removed and an unelected "people's council" to be set up to carry out reforms.

Jatuporn said: "As long as the country's democracy is not safe, we will be here." He warned that if there was a coup or an unelected prime minister installed, the Red Shirts will "escalate our fight immediately".

Hours after Yingluck and her nine ministers were removed from office, the Cabinet named deputy premier Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan as acting prime minister.

But protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban told followers the Senate should select a new premier since the lower house had been dissolved since December.

Suthep said the PDRC wants a response by Monday, or it will take matters into its own hands. "There is currently no prime minister, no caretaker prime minister, only an acting PM" who has very limited powers, said Suthep.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission (EC) said fresh election is unlikely to be held amid prevailing political atmosphere.

The EC and Yingluck-led government earlier reached an agreement to hold elections on July 20 after the February 2 snap polls were declared null and void.