Thai protesters ‘shut down’ Bangkok in bid to oust PM

10 years ago | Posted in: Latest Politics News | 542 Views

Thousands on Monday blocked roads leading to the heart of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, in a bid to force out Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and replace her with an unelected government, calling the operation “Bangkok Shutdown.”

Thousands came out onto the streets, walking past barricades, waving flags and wearing t-shirts with the above slogan, occupying all the strategic intersections, which included a shopping mall – the same one that was set on fire during the political turmoil of 2011.

Protests are led by the former opposition politician, Suthep Thaugsuban. Demonstrators are seeking to cause chaos in the city of 12 million people by blocking major intersections. Late on Sunday, he told the crowds that the group intends to “fight regardless of whether [they] win or lose.”

“We will not compromise or accept negotiation,” he added.

As of Monday morning, there has been little traffic on the main roads of the Thai capital, probably because many residents and workers stayed home, the Bangkok Post reports. The protesters said the government can count on them trying to disrupt people’s work commutes. This concerns government workers especially, as the crowd promised to cut off power to those institutions.

This is something that the government warns could lead to more bloodshed.

The recent demonstrations that swept the south-east Asian nation are just the latest intensification of an eight-year conflict between the middle class and royalist establishment and the mostly poorer, rural supporters of the prime minister and her self-exiled brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The continuing protest comes amid Monday calls by the PM to gather anti-government protesters and political parties under one roof to discuss an Election Commission proposal for further postponing the election, initially proposed for February 2, according to a senior government aide.

The opposition and the ministers had previously disagreed with the plan. One EC member now suggests May 4 as the date.

“The prime minister thinks that there are still some unclear points in the EC’s proposal. The best way is to meet and discuss it,” secretary-general to the PM, Suranand Vejjajiva, told the press.

In 2006 Thaksin was ousted as prime minister in a coup and currently is in a self-imposed exile in Dubai, evading a possible prison term in Thailand on corruption charges. see more

source: rt

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