Friday, April 10, 2009

Pro-Thaksin protesters continue to block traffic in Thai capital

Friday April 10, 2009

(Kyodo) - Thousands supporters of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra continued to block traffic in Bangkok on Friday, despite government vows to take legal action against them. The protesters swarmed Victory Monument, one of Bangkok's busiest traffic points, and some main roads in Bangkok even though Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared Friday a national holiday to ease traffic turmoil in the capital. He also vowed to legal action against any act that "hurts national security."

Abhisit rejected demands by the pro-Thaksin protesters for his resignation and insisted he will not dissolve the lower house for an election. On Thursday night, Abhisit met with military and police leaders and agreed they will use security forces to open traffic lanes, but no action has been taken yet.

Thaksin told his supporters via video-link Thursday night to continue the protest until they topple the government. The ousted premier also suggested he may return to Thailand to lead the protests himself if the government uses force to end the demonstrations. The protesters have also declared they will try to obstruct this weekend's East Asia Summit in the beach resort Pattaya because the government has refused to meet their demands.

According to local media, nearly 1,000 protesters arrived in Pattaya on Friday morning and prepared to demonstrate near the meeting venue, but with an estimated 5,000 police and soldiers in the city it is unclear if the protesters will be allowed to mount any viable action. The East Asian Summit and other meetings to be held in Pattaya on Friday through Sunday will be attended by leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations as well those of China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India. ASEAN comprises Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar.

The Thaksin supporters want Abhisit to either resign or dissolve the lower house of parliament. Their demands also include the resignation of three members of the Privy Council that advises King Bhumibol Adulyadej, citing improper involvement in politics by the trio. The protesters have been holding mass demonstrations outside Government House since early this year and they have continued round-the-clock protests since March 26.

Thaksin, now fugitive overseas, was ousted by a military coup in 2006 and his party was dissolved by a court order in 2007 after he was convicted of electoral fraud. The People Power Party, consisting mostly of Thaksin loyalists, won a post-coup general election in late 2007, but it too was dissolved by a court order, last December, after one of its executives was convicted of vote-buying. Abhisit, leader of the Democrat Party, came to power after some lawmakers from the defunct People Power Party joined the Democrats in voting him into office in the wake of massive anti-Thaksin protests that shut down Bangkok's two main airports for days and besieged government offices for months.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

No justice no peace.

Anonymous said...

Now it is time to Tnai nation because Thais committed serious sin. Thai government and soldiers destroyed Preah Vihear, where is the peace home of God. If Thai continue attempted to destroy home of God and still fired onto the temple, Thai nation will never, never, never have peace.

If Thai nation needs peace, prosperity, Thai should give intention to take Preah Vihea and celebrate apology ceremony to GODs staying and caring temple.

This is best wish and advice to the sin nation.

Anonymous said...

Coorection: Now it is time to Thai nation because Thais committed serious sin. Thai government and soldiers destroyed Preah Vihear, where is the peace home of God. If Thai attempted to destroy home of God and still fired onto the temple, Thai nation will never, never, never have peace.

If Thai nation needs peace, prosperity, Thai should give up intention to take Preah Vihea and celebrate apology ceremony to MIGHTY GODs staying and caring temple.

This is best wish and advice to the sin nation.

Anonymous said...

What? Correction? :)
Great to see you here.
Warez Tips

Anonymous said...

Correction:
What? Correction? :)
Great to see you here.
Warez Tips & Tricks

Anonymous said...

yes they will meet each other at an international court and jail.

Anonymous said...

If Pouk Ah Siamese wanted to continue encroaching into Khmer territory, Khmer rouge will give them more body bags again! Khmer are full ready to fight Siamese invader...

Anonymous said...

Yep! bring on your stupid jetfighter and rice burnner tank piece of craps! we got field missile waitting and welcome you stupid Siamese fags mother fucker!