Today (17 January 2014), at 11.15 hrs., at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, the PM along with DPM/FM Surapong, DPM Niwatthamrong, DPM Pongthep, DPM Pracha, Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Adul and Permanent Secretary for Defence General Nipat gave an interview to members of the foreign media (Straits Times, Bloomberg, DPA, TV Asahi, Nikkei, Reuters, AP, CNN, AFP, BBC, The Wall Street Journal, CCTV, Xinhua, Yomiuri Shimbun and The New York Times). Gist of the interview as follows:
1. On whether the general elections will take place as scheduled on 2 February 2014:
                   1.1 PM: the duty of holding general elections belongs to the EC. The duty of the caretaker government is to facilitate and support the preparations for the general elections.
     1.2 DPM Pongthep:  the question must be related to the fact that some candidates could not register their candidatures in time. The present system has been in use for more than ten years. In the areas where the candidate registration could not take place,     the EC must continue to conduct the elections until the Parliament can be open within 30 days after the general elections.
2. On whether there is any back channel negotiations taking place between the Government and the anti-government protestors:
    PM: The government always keeps a door open for negotiation. There are venues for negotiations both formal and informal such as the reform forum. In this regard, the PM calls upon the protestors to engage in a negotiation. Currently, the protestors refuse to enter into a negotiation even though their request is not actionable under the Constitution.
                     3. On whether it is time for the Shinawatra family to distance themselves from Thai politics:
                           PM: After the dissolution of the House of Representatives, the PM’s job as a caretaker is to continue discharging duties as may be necessary until the hand over after the elections. I am only remaining in power because of my duty to hold the government together. The only way to listen to the real voices of the people is through voting in the general elections.
             DPM Pongthep: Even if the PM had chosen to resign, she would still have been in office until the next government takes over as stipulated in the Constitution. If some protestors do not like the current government, the most efficient and swift way to ensure that the Government is out of power is through voting in the general elections.
       4. On whether elections can solve the current political crisis:
                           PM: We have to continue with the general elections. If people do not accept any rules, then it is not a democracy. We have to safeguard democracy.  If we were to go with the suggestions of the protestors, then a new system of government would have to be installed.  In the meantime, there are venues through which grievances can be aired such as the reform forum so that the reform proposals from all sides can be reflected. After the reform process is finalized, the new Government can then dissolve the Parliament and call for a new election.
     5. Whether the Shinawatra backing away from Thai politics would appease the political anger on the streets against the current Government:
          PM: That question must also be addressed to the other group of voters who cast their votes for the current Government. I come from a democratic election and holding general elections is the only way for the people to deliver their judgment. My family is being victimized. No one wants to be hated and insulted. It is my duty to safeguard democracy. I would like  the general elections to take place as soon as possible. 

      6. On the impacts of the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s decision on the rice-pledging scheme and whether the timing of the announcement is politically motivated.
            PM: The announcement clearly stated that I am still under investigation. The rice-pledging scheme was introduced to reduce the discrepancy between the rich and the poor. Studies conducted have shown that the farmers are amongst the poorest in Thailand and this is why the Government introduced the scheme.
       7. On reconciliation being one of the top priorities for the PM and the introduction of the blanket Amnesty Bill by the Puea Thai Party:
            PM: We would like to see reconciliation takes place in Thai society. People’s opinions have differed greatly since the 2006 coup. The Government is sincere about reconciliation, which is why we have given victims of political violence --- both the yellow shirts and the red shirts --- financial compensation. However, not all agree on the means towards achieving reconciliation through granting amnesty. This is why so many people were against the Amnesty Bill. Although it was not the Government that introduced the blanket Amnesty Bill, I and other heads of political parties have pledged not to reintroduce the Bill to Parliament. I have also dissolved the House of Representatives and called for a fresh election. The matter, for all intents and purposes, is now closed.
         8. On whether the current political situation could descend into a civil war provided that the Government is forced out of power either through a political vacuum or by other means:
              PM: Past experiences taught us that coups do not solve any problem. The Government is doing its best to try and maintain peace. Keeping the country peaceful is a top priority.
              DPM/FM: The PM has reiterated to all security personnel to exercise utmost restraint in line with established international practices and not to use any weapons. For this reason, violence will not occur. The Government is doing its utmost to minimize losses and injuries. A civil war is not expected as the Red Shirts will keep all their political activities outside of Bangkok.
              General Nipat: Currently, the role of the military is to act as supporting units to the police who are tasked with maintaining peace and order. By order of the heads of the armed forces, the military’s main duty is to provide security to government offices and buildings. We try our best to negotiate with the protestors through a professional negotiating team. Gradually, the protestors have begun to see our reasoning and the situation is getting better through understanding. The military is under strict orders from the Minister of Defence not to resort to the use of force.
                           9. On the role of former PM Thaksin and whether PM receives any advice/instruction from her brother:
                                PM: I only take advice from the people in this room who are my advisors in this Government. Former PM Thaksin is only one of the Thai people who are concerned about the current political situation.
                            10. On how the PM would explain the current political situation to potential investors to regain their confidence:
                                  PM: The Government agencies concerned are handling the situation in a peaceful manner in line with international standards. The general elections will be a peaceful way to determine the future of the country and safeguard democracy. In this regard, I call on the EC to hold general elections as soon as possible. The protests are only confined to Bangkok. All the other provinces are still open to investment and tourism.
                             11. On the PM’s feelings against personal attacks levied against her and her family:
                                     PM: My duty is to safeguard democracy. Do not appreciate the fact that gender is an issue used for political exploitation. Under the current constitution, everyone is entitled to human dignity.
                             12. On why the police have not been able to arrest key People’s  Democratic Reform Committee leader Mr. Suthep:
                                   Police Commissioner-General Adul: apprehending intended targets as per the arrest warrants must be done cautiously and with careful planning.