Day of Protests in Bangkok
Following a week of heightened political tension today has been another day of protests in the Thai capital. Anti-government protesters from the People’s Alliance for Democracy movement (PAD) marched on parliament in Bangkok and blocked access roads and entrances. With politicians and senators unable to gain access to the parliament building, today’s session of parliament was cancelled. Reports from local police suggest up to 20,000 PAD protesters were involved in various marches today in and around the Dusit and Ratanakosin districts of Bangkok. A PAD group also made its way to the temporary government offices at Don Muang but the domestic airport there remained open.
The PAD leaders had been using strong rhetoric in the lead up to today’s protests stating that it was the ‘final battle’ and the ‘government will be toppled’. Today’s march was sparked by government plans to push ahead with an amendment to the Constitution which PAD claim is a ploy to rehabilitate the man who is the focus of much of their anger; exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Meanwhile, an estimated 10,000 pro-government supporters under the banner of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered at a temple close to Bangkok giving rise for concern that the opposing PAD and UDD groups would clash. So far, the followers of the pro-Thaksin UDD have heeded calls from their leaders not to confront the PAD group in Bangkok. However, in the past week a number of explosive devices have been hurled at PAD protesters fuelling fears of another violent confrontation similar to the scenes witnessed last month in Thailand’s capital.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is out of the country attending an APEC meeting in Peru and seems unperturbed by the latest protests. He says he will not quit and his government will not resign. With the military still remaining neutral, the PAD group have so far failed in their bid to topple the current government. Threats of national strikes and internal transport disruption remain a possibility if the anti-government groups can retain enough support with the unions and workforce leaders.
Thaksin Shinawatra will be keeping a close eye on proceedings in Thailand. The former Thai leader’s vow to return to politics was apparently the reason for his recent divorce from his wife, Potjaman. The so-called ‘Big Boss’ seems to once more have his eye on the top job in Thai politics and this alone will cause fury amongst the PAD protesters and others who are opposed to Thaksin. There is much that will need to happen before that particular scenario could occur because as it stands at the moment, Thaksin will be jailed if he returns to Thailand. Despite this, nothing can be ruled out as the power battle continues to be played out in an issue which continues to divide Thailand along stark political lines.
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