Protesters In Thailand Stage Rally in Bangkok

By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BANGKOK, Thailand- Anti-government demonstrators took to the streets of Bangkok to press their case for the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resign and call fresh elections. Many of the residents are in support of the protest to add pressure on the six party coalition government.

On Saturday thousands joined the protest on Saturday that consisted of motorcycles, vans and trucks that stretched up to eight kilometers along Bankok’s thoroughfares.  Government officials had warned residents to remain at home to avoid being caught in the traffic congestion.

The convoy came after a week of protests by the red wearing demonstrators who have targeted the 15-month-old government of Prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, calling on him to dissolve the parliament and call elections.  In addition to the convoy, other protests which occurred during the week included the pouring of blood on key government administrative buildings in ritual ceremonies.

The demonstrators, also known as the Red Shirts, are led by the United Democratic Front against Dictatorship, or UDD, have the support of the main parliamentary opposition group, the Puea Thai Party.

Both of these groups are supporting the former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted from power in a coup in 2006.  The groups claim that Mr. Abhisit’s coalition government is illegitimate as it came after courts removed two pro-Thaksin Government since 2007 elections.

Mr. Abhisit said in recent media comments that he will not b pressed to take the country to elections at the moment but is willing to hold talks with protest leaders.  Representatives from both sides are due to meet on Sunday.

Mr Thaksin is still in exile because of a two year jail sentence for corruption.  Because of the populist economic policies he held while in office, he maintains support from the northern rural areas, along with the poor and low income groups.  The middle class accused Mr. Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power while in office, in particular his government’s attacks on the media, and his perceived attempts to control all branches of power, including parliament and independent government agencies.

The protests have been peaceful so far.  The government was forced to enact security laws and bring in the military when anti-government demonstrations held in April of last year turned violent.

For more information, please see:
English.xinhuanet.com- Thai Anti-Gov’t Protesters End March In Bangkok Peacefully– 20 March 2010

Author: Impunity Watch Archive