Demonstrations disturb Thailand once again

To control the 3 day protest from thousands of supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra outside Thailand’s seat of government in Bangkok, riot police had to be called in. The protesters surrounded Government House and called on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve his 2-month-old government and hold snap elections, saying they would stage a three-day sit-in to press their demands. They also shouted and threw plastic bottles at riot police and soldiers who were guarding the area, but the gathering remained largely peaceful.

The latest rally comes a few days before Thailand is to host the annual summit of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. However, the protestors say that they had no plans to disrupt the summit itself.

On Tuesday, as many as 20,000 protesters surrounded the prime minister’s office, as Abhisit held his weekly Cabinet meeting in the beach resort town of Hua Hin, 90 miles (150 kilometers) southwest of Bangkok, instead of its usual venue at Government House.

On Wednesday, the Thai prime minister entered the Government House compound through a side gate without hindrance. Protesters also did not attempt to obstruct ASEAN defense ministers who arrived later to meet Abhisit ahead of the regional summit.

The latest protests have been organized by the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship — commonly known as the “red shirts” because of their attire, which contrasts with the yellow shirts worn by their the People’s Alliance for Democracy, who dominated last years’ protests.