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Protesters in tourist hub
Apr 4, 2010
Red Shirt supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra shout slogans during an anti-government protest at central world junction in Bangkok. -- PHOTO: AFP
BANGKOK - RAISING the stakes in their bid to overthrow the government, tens of thousands of Thai protesters swarmed Bangkok's tourist heartland on Saturday, defying a warning to leave or face arrest.
Bemused foreigners looked on as the red-shirted supporters of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra overran a swathe of central Bangkok home to five-star hotels and major shopping centres.
The government said it would officially ban protests from 9.00pm (1400 GMT, 10pm Singapore time) in the area under a tough security law introduced in response to rolling demonstrations which began in mid-March. Protesters would be asked to leave or face prosecution because of the damage to businesses and tourism, said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn. 'The government has no alternative except to enforce the law,' he said.
But the protesters ignored the deadline, vowing to stay put indefinitely until embattled Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolves parliament. 'If the government has ill intentions against Red Shirts we're ready to respond. The Red Shirts will not step back,' Reds leader Veera Musikapong said. Despite sweltering temperatures, police estimated that about 60,000 people joined the protest - the latest in a series of demonstrations since mid-March demanding PM Abhisit call snap elections.
'They are provoking the authorities to use force to disperse them,' PM Abhisit said at a news conference. He said the government hoped to end the standoff through dialogue but refused to rule out invoking emergency rule - which would ban gatherings of more than five people - if the situation worsens.
Saturday's protest snarled traffic and forced some shopping malls and stores to close, but tourists seemed largely unfazed by the rally, which had a carnival-like atmosphere with dancing and live music in the streets. 'It doesn't scare me because I come here every year and know it won't be serious,' said Adolf Gutounik, a 57-year-old visitor from Germany. -- AFP
Apr 4, 2010
Red Shirt supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra shout slogans during an anti-government protest at central world junction in Bangkok. -- PHOTO: AFP
BANGKOK - RAISING the stakes in their bid to overthrow the government, tens of thousands of Thai protesters swarmed Bangkok's tourist heartland on Saturday, defying a warning to leave or face arrest.
Bemused foreigners looked on as the red-shirted supporters of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra overran a swathe of central Bangkok home to five-star hotels and major shopping centres.
The government said it would officially ban protests from 9.00pm (1400 GMT, 10pm Singapore time) in the area under a tough security law introduced in response to rolling demonstrations which began in mid-March. Protesters would be asked to leave or face prosecution because of the damage to businesses and tourism, said government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn. 'The government has no alternative except to enforce the law,' he said.
But the protesters ignored the deadline, vowing to stay put indefinitely until embattled Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolves parliament. 'If the government has ill intentions against Red Shirts we're ready to respond. The Red Shirts will not step back,' Reds leader Veera Musikapong said. Despite sweltering temperatures, police estimated that about 60,000 people joined the protest - the latest in a series of demonstrations since mid-March demanding PM Abhisit call snap elections.
'They are provoking the authorities to use force to disperse them,' PM Abhisit said at a news conference. He said the government hoped to end the standoff through dialogue but refused to rule out invoking emergency rule - which would ban gatherings of more than five people - if the situation worsens.
Saturday's protest snarled traffic and forced some shopping malls and stores to close, but tourists seemed largely unfazed by the rally, which had a carnival-like atmosphere with dancing and live music in the streets. 'It doesn't scare me because I come here every year and know it won't be serious,' said Adolf Gutounik, a 57-year-old visitor from Germany. -- AFP
