CRI听力:Thai PM Not to Resign before General Election

Caretaker Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has issued a new plea for anti-government demonstrators to clear the streets and support her snap election call.

However, defiant protest leaders are calling for her to step down within 24 hours.

CRI's Li Jing has more.

Report: Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra says she will not resign ahead of the national elections set for February 2nd, despite opposition demands she step down as the caretaker head of government.

"According to constitution and the royal decree to dissolve the House of Parliament, I have to remain a caretaker Prime Minister, as is stated in the constitution, and we have to wait until a new cabinet is formally appointed."

Speaking to reporters amid her latest plea for calm, Yingluck became choked up when asked about her family's role in Thai politics.

"I have listened to the protesters' demands and all that they have said about my family. I think we are all Thai people; do you really mean that we cannot even stand on Thai soil anymore? Is it going to continue like this? I have backed off to the point that I don't know how to go back any further. Please give me some justice. Thank you."

The streets of Bangkok have remained relatively quiet on Tuesday, a national holiday, after weeks of political turmoil.

Protesters leaders have been demanding Yingluck give up power to an unelected "people's council."

Thailand's King has named Yingluck as interim prime minister until the February elections.

Anti-government leader Suthep Tuagsuban has been urging the crowds of protesters to replace the government with "good people".

"From now, we, the people will appoint a person to become prime minister of the people and set up government of the people."

However, he's given no clue about his next move or how exactly he plans to take over the government.

The protesters accuse Yingluck of serving as a proxy for her billionaire brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in self-imposed exile to avoid jail time for a corruption conviction.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has issued a statement, saying it hopes Thailand's general election will take place smoothly, and under the framework of constitution and laws.

The Chinese side also says it hopes Thai authorities will restore stability and order through consultations and dialogue.

For CRI, this is Li Jing.

For more on the situation in Thailand, we spoke earlier with Prof. Pitch Pongsawat with the Faculty of Political Science at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok.