PAD calls on suthep, others to resign

Suthep has strong ties with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, so he did not instruct security officials to safeguard the Asean meeting, allowing red-shirted protesters to storm its venue, the pro-government group said in a statement.

Army chief Anupong Paochinda, Navy chief Kamthorn Phumhiran and National Police chief Patchara-wat Wongsuwan, as well as Defence Minister Pravit Wongsuwan, should also resign over the fiasco, the PAD said.

The PAD had planned another rally to provide security at Pattaya. But the government asked it to freeze the plan as it might clash with the rival group, allowing some military circles to exploit the opportunity and stage a coup, it said.

The incident in Pattaya proved the Thaksin regime has managed to undermine the national interest while the government has failed utterly to protect the interests of 63 million Thais, the PAD said.

"We call upon people throughout the country to prepare to use our force for self-protection," it said.