Red-shirts back on Bangkok streets against the government
Bangkok (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Tens of thousands of red shirted protesters gathered in downtown Bangkok on Sunday in the biggest show of force since the government repealed the emergency decree in Bangkok last month. Most of them are close to the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), an opposition political pressure group. During the rally, ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra spoke by phone, telling protesters that he would “continue our quest for democracy” and return “justice, happiness, and prosperity” to the Thai people. The rally ended around 8.40 pm without any incidents with police, which had been deployed nearby.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva recently said he would dissolve parliament and call a general election once the situation in the country returns to normal. A few weeks ago, his government did in fact lift emergency rule in the capital and a number of provinces, but his opponents still took to the streets yesterday. Emergency rule had been imposed last year following clashes between soldiers and anti-government protesters that resulted in 91 dead and about 1,800 wounded.
In his phone address to 30,000 supporters (according to official sources), ousted PM Thaksin pledged that he would do his best to bring happiness and prosperity to the people of Thailand in the New Year.
The billionaire politician, who was sentenced to two years in prison in absentia, said on a flight to Europe that he would fight until democracy rules in the country.
When the red-shirt rally ended, candles were lit to commemorate the 91 people who were killed in clashes last year.
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