PDRC supporters force govt offices to close
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Several ministries and government offices nationwide were forced to close yesterday by people gathering in support of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).
Most offices at the Government Complex on Chaeng Wattana Road were also seized and forced to close by PDRC supporters, such as the Election Commission and the much-loathed Department of Special Investigation.
The United Nations, located off Rajdamnoen Avenue, close to one of the key anti-government rally sites, also instructed its employees to work from home.
The Foreign Ministry did the same. A ministry source said the closure was necessary, and not in compliance with a call from the PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban.
City halls in 14 provinces in the South were under siege yesterday, including the one in Surat Thani – Suthep’s home province – which has been closed for four days running. A large number of PDRC supporters in Phuket launched a motorcade to show their support for the group’s ongoing campaign in Bangkok.
So far, no applications have been submitted for a by-election in Surat Thani to fill the vacancy left by Suthep, who quit as Democrat MP to lead the PDRC. The deadline for applications is Friday.
