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Thai government rocked as over 100,000 take to the streets

Momentum mounts against PM after amnesty bill defeat
Thai government rocked as over 100,000 take to the streets

Many of Bangkok's main roads were jammed by the massive anti-government turnout (picture: AFP Photo/Pornchai Kittiwongsakul)

Published: November 25, 2013 09:57 AM GMT
Updated: November 25, 2013 04:23 PM GMT

The impetus to oust Thailand's ruling party spiked dramatically today as more than 100,000 anti-government protesters clogged streets throughout Bangkok and occupied at least two government buildings.

People started gathering on Sunday at the city's Democracy Monument, in one of the largest turnouts Bangkok has seen in years. Today the demonstrators declared their intention to march on 13 government and military installations and five national TV stations.

This marked the latest round of protests that began after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra earlier this month introduced a highly controversial amnesty bill. 

Ultimately rejected by the Thai senate, the bill would have pardoned those responsible for ordering the killing of demonstrators in the 2010 protests. More crucially, it would have pardoned former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck’s brother, who is wanted in Thailand on corruption charges.

Thaksin Shinawatra is presently in self-imposed exile but it is widely acknowledged that he offers frequent advice if not outright instructions to his sister.

While many feared a return of the violence and bloodshed of the 2010 riots, most of Bangkok remained relatively calm, despite a number of tense standoffs throughout the city.

Outside Channel 9 TV headquarters, more than 1,000 protesters marched to the front entrance, which was cordoned off by police in full riot gear, a familiar sight around the city on this day of dissent.

The protesters demanded that the station, which is publicly owned, report fair and balanced news, not just news that puts the government in a good light, Democratic MP Sukit Kongtoranin told ucanews.com.

“They always take the side of the government. We want to ask them to stop this. Report the news correctly. Tell the entire story not just the side of the government,” he said.

Kongtoranin, who attended the rally, did not join the chorus of calls for Yingluck’s resignation, but he said the prime minister’s government may not survive if they do not serve the will of the people.

“This government only works for its own benefit," he said. "This is why the people the people must stand up.” 

Outside Channel 9, protesters demanded a meeting with station officials, echoing the strategy at other protest points.

At the Finance Ministry, protesters entered the compound and occupied ministry buildings in the most tense encounter of the day, Thai newspapers reported. There were also reports that the offices of the Public Relations Ministry had been occupied.

Outside the Royal Thai Police office, protesters demanded to speak the national police chief. A subordinate came out in an attempt to address the crowd, but was told the group would only speak with the chief. 

In one alarming incident Nick Nostitz, a highly regarded European news photographer, was singled out at one of the protests, identified from the stage as a pro-government journalist and set upon by a mob who punched him several times.

Meanwhile on Sunday, the pro-government "Red Shirts" staged their own, smaller demonstration at the city's Rajamangala Stadium, vowing not to leave until the anti-government protests were dispersed.

Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch Asia division, said both pro- and anti-government sides have people connected to the 2010 violence who need to be held accountable.

"The vagaries of colored shirt politics all obscure the fact that the core, central element of Thailand's political system is impunity for the well connected.  Corruption and malfeasance doesn't have a color," Robertson told ucanews.com.

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