Arrest rally leaders, Thai police told
Protest leaders must face consequences of role in civil unrest, government says
Thailand's government yesterday urged police to arrest opposition protest leaders who have threatened to take the prime minister captive and paralysed parts of central Bangkok.
Officials said the demonstrators' self-styled "shutdown" of Bangkok, aimed at forcing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office, appeared to be losing momentum with a dwindling number on the streets.
Leaders of the anti-government movement travel freely around the city delivering fiery speeches and collecting money from supporters, despite warrants for their arrest for their roles in civil unrest that has left eight dead and hundreds injured.
Rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban faces an insurrection charge - in theory punishable by death - in connection with the protests, as well as a murder charge linked to a military crackdown on opposition protests that left dozens dead when he was deputy premier in 2010.
"It's the duty of the police to arrest Suthep because he is wanted for insurrection, otherwise police will face malfeasance charges," Deputy Prime Minister Surapong Towijakchaikul said after a meeting the national police chief.
Surapong said Suthep, a former opposition MP, was protected by about 40 personal bodyguards.
