BANGKOK, March 27 (TNA) - Anti-government protesters from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have announced they will not make way for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Cabinet ministers or other officials to enter Government House for work on Friday.
Meanwhile, fugitive former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra telephoned his supporters who claimed they totally cordoned off Government House on Thursday to protest and pressure the prime minister to resign.
The UDD demonstrators, known as Red Shirts, gathered at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang Wednesday night before marching to Government House Thursday afternoon, trying to oust the three-month-old government.
Key UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan, a member of parliament from the Opposition Puea Thai Party, said earlier that the rally would last for at least one month, and that the group has sufficient capability to sustain the protest up to one year if they wish.
After a permanent stage was built near the Government House compound, the UDD leaders took turn on stage to attack the Abhisit government.
They charged that the government has administered the country for three months but have accomplished nothing. Army Chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda and privy councillors were also under verbal attack.
The protesters planned to send small groups of supporters to protest at other locations.
Highlighting of the day was a telephone address by ousted premier Thaksin, who thanked his supporters for coming out in support of democracy.
The deposed ex-premier said that democracy in the kingdom had been set back 30 years.
Mr. Thaksin promised that on Friday he would reveal the identity of the "extra-constitutional figure" behind the coup deposing him in 2006.
He added that he would discuss economic issues Saturday and would tell how to bring Thailand out of economic crisis.
The UDD leaders said Mr. Thaksin would speak to supporters via video links everyday beginning Friday.
Mr. Thaksin said he is now in an African country but did not specify the nation and claim that he had met with the president of this African country and on Friday he would meet another President of another country in Africa.
Removed from power in a bloodless military coup in September 2006, the ex-premier was found guilty by Thailand’s Supreme Court last year of violating the country’s conflict of interest laws in regard to a land purchase on Bangkok's Ratchadapisek Road by his then wife.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday morning that he believed the security personnel could control the protesters and affirmed that he would not resign because of the pressure by the UDD. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 09:55:02 27 March 2009 (GMT+7:00)
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