The anti-government protesters in Bangkok have moved away from their original site in the old district of the Thai capital. Instead, the red shirts are now concentrating all their efforts on one central location in Bangkok’s commercial district.
Yesterday, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), who are the organizers of the Bangkok protests, decided to abandon their original site at Phan Fa Bridge which they have occupied since the demonstrations began on March 12. It was in this vicinity, close to the Democracy Monument and Ratchadamnoen Avenue, where violent clashes occurred in Bangkok last weekend as Thai security forces moved in to try and clear the protesters away. The red shirts were able to hold their ground at the weekend, but in a tactical move they have decided to now move away from the Phan Fa location. There is now just one protest site at Ratchaprasong intersection close to Bangkok’s central shopping area in Siam. The red shirts first set up camp here on April 3 and it will now be the main focus of attention for their campaign against the Thai government.
The location of the anti-government protest in the heart of Bangkok’s commercial district exerts even more pressure on Thailand’s embattled prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva. Fringed by shopping malls and hotels, the protest site is important commercially and is a high-profile location for tourists. In the current political climate, it would appear inconceivable that the Thai government could successfully use force against the red shirts at this particular location.
Time does appear to be running out for Abhisit and his government, but it remains to be seen who will deal the final blow. It could come from the coalition partners or it could come from the military with a coup always a possibility at times of crisis in Thailand. Alternatively, a legal ruling by the Thai courts could finally spell the end for the government. As always, uncertainty is the only thing that is certain in the Machiavellian world of Thai politics.
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