Sunday, March 14, 2010
Thailand's red shirts deliver ultimatum
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The protesters are supporters of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted in 2006
The political situation in Bangkok remains tense, with red shirt supporters of fugitive prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra still massed at a rally in Bangkok.
As many as 100,000 protesters have converged on the Thai capital, with their leaders giving the government an ultimatum to dissolve parliament by noon Monday and call fresh elections.
They say if their demands are not met they will spread their protest to other areas and effectively paralyse the city.
In the past the red shirts have clashed violently with the army and some analysts fear violence will break out.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says he will not be forced into holding elections and a showdown appears likely.
The red shirts say more demonstrators are on their way to Bangkok and that they are prepared to stay on the streets for as long as it takes to bring down the government.
Mr Shinawatra won two elections but was ousted by mass protests and a military coup in 2006.
His supporters say his conviction last month on corruption charges was rigged.
"He does for every people, for every poor people, for farmers get money and every poor person get money and get a job and bring civilisation to our country," student Kelly Gaertz said.
On Saturday night Mr Shinawatra addressed his supporters by phone.
He thanked them and told them to stay on the streets until the government falls.
The government says 40,000 soldiers and police will be monitoring the protest.
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