Thailand's 'Red Shirts' warn of 'civil war' if PM Shinawatra ousted

Thailand's pro-government movement leaders have warned that any attempts to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra would lead to a civil war.

The warning from Red Shirts members came as opponents of Yingluck and her party have filed legal cases against her.

According to the BBC, speaking to a crowd, Jatuporn Promphan, the chairman of the pro-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), said judicial institutions were trying 'to take over power without elections'.

He said that what was most concerning was that the actions could lead to a civil war, which they did not want to happen.

Yingluck is facing mounting legal cases, including charges of neglect of duty and abuse of power, which could see her removed from office in coming weeks.

Meanwhile, anti-government protesters have continued their own demonstrations from their headquarters in Bangkok's central Lumpini Park, the report said.

The government called an election in February, but that was obstructed by protesters. Since then Thailand has been in a state of paralysis.