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Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Sunday dismissed an ultimatum by protesters who demanded the government step down by Feb 15, raising the prospect of more political turmoil. Mr Suthep said that supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra were free to demonstrate again, but insisted the new Democrat Party-led government would stay in office.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Sunday dismissed an ultimatum by protesters who demanded the government step down by Feb 15, raising the prospect of more political turmoil. Mr Suthep said that supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra were free to demonstrate again, but insisted the new Democrat Party-led government would stay in office.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Sunday dismissed an ultimatum by protesters who demanded the government step down by Feb 15, raising the prospect of more political turmoil. Mr Suthep said that supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra were free to demonstrate again, but insisted the new Democrat Party-led government would stay in office.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Sunday dismissed an ultimatum by protesters who demanded the government step down by Feb 15, raising the prospect of more political turmoil. Mr Suthep said that supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra were free to demonstrate again, but insisted the new Democrat Party-led government would stay in office.

Rising debt raises crisis fears, Puea Thai says. The opposition Puea Thai party is demanding that the government reveal the country's real economic health, saying worsening debt could lead to a recurrence of the 1997 financial crisis. Khanawat Wasinsangvorn, Puea Thai deputy leader, yesterday said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva should make public the economic fundamentals, as the country now has just 52 billion baht in reserves.