The leaders of the "Red Shirts" are ready to demonstrate in favor of government, the leader of the opposition want to oust the "the Shinawatra clan” from the country. Fears grow of clashes between the two sides . Meanwhile, farmers for months waiting for the payment of food announce protests and road blocks.

Bangkok ( AsiaNews / Agencies) - The "Red Shirts" are ready to take to the streets in favor of the Thai government, in an escalation of tension despite calls for calm and dialogue. After weeks of protests by "Yellow Shirts" led by opposition leader Suthep Thaugsuban , who wants "the Shinawatra clan" exiled from the country , now even the pro-government faction are ready to take to the streets and many fear "violence" if the two sides meet . The announced resignation of the executive led by Yingluck Shinawatra, who has called new elections for the 2nd of February has done little to ally tensions.  In the meantime, the government intends to remain in office for routine administration and to ensure the smooth return to the polls.

After a short break, December 6, for the 86th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej , the street protests paralyzing Bangkok and part of the country for weeks resumed with greater vigor. The anti -government protests - a mix of members of the middle class, royalists and the inhabitants of the south - are the biggest since 2010, when the kingdom was shaken by a series of riots that ended in bloodshed and death 90 civilians.

The protesters want the resignation of the government led by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra , accused of being a "puppet" in the hands of her brother Thaksin , the billionaire and former prime minister in exile to escape a two-year prison sentence. In reality, the current government was democratically elected in 2011 and 28 November last easily survived a no-confidence motion tabled by the opposition in Parliament (297 votes against 134).

Currently the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD ) , the "Red Shirts" , have announced they will tale to the streets to "defend " the government . " And there will be many more people," announced the leaders of the movement, "than they few Suthep [ Thaugsuban , leader of the anti-government protesters] has been able to gather so far." In the country there are "millions of people," continued "Smith" , who "love Thaksin and love the Shinawatra family" and strongly support the ruling Pheu Thai Party . And the leaders launch a final warning to Suthep, that he is the one, and not Yingluck , who has to " worry" about the opinions and reactions of the Thai people.

However, part of the historical Shinawatra electorate could be of additional concern to the government. A vast movement of farmers threaten road blocks in 26 provinces of the country, to protest against non-payment by the State of rice reserves. After the victory at the polls, Yingluck announced a government plan to purchase reserves of rice and cereals to 470 dollars per ton , at a price well above market value. The government is not able to sell the stocks abroad and the banks have finished the funds to be allocated to farmers. "Farmers are angry - confirm Thai Farmers Associations - and are ready to block the traffic. For months we have waited to be paid , in vain."

Several analysts and policy experts point out that the Thai government still enjoys widespread support in many sections of the population especially among rural and northern Thailand. And, in all probability, in the event of new elections could easily regain the leadership of the country. In contrast, the protesters demand that the current government be replaced by a "Council of the People" not elected by the people and consisting of "people of good will ."
Opposition leader Suthep Thaugsuban said that "the movement will continue to fight" until they have eradicated the "Thaksin regim", the real goal of the protest. He asked the authorities to arrest the Prime Minister for "treason", if she does not "obey our orders". "We will wait three more days - announced the "Yellow Shirt" leader today - and if all this does not end, members of the Shinawatra family will never find happiness again in their lives". Behind the frontal attack , there is the hope that the expulsion of a powerful family that enjoys consensus and votes in the country , the Democratic Party can win an election after years of defeats at the polls

 

 

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• shinawatra
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