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Thai protesters in 'final battle' | Thai protesters in 'final battle' |
(about 8 hours later) | |
Thousands of protesters have gathered in the Thai capital Bangkok for what they call a "final battle" in a six-month campaign to oust the government. | Thousands of protesters have gathered in the Thai capital Bangkok for what they call a "final battle" in a six-month campaign to oust the government. |
A similar protest in October left two people dead and nearly 500 wounded. | A similar protest in October left two people dead and nearly 500 wounded. |
Demonstrators gathered at Government House, where protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have set up camp since late August. | Demonstrators gathered at Government House, where protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have set up camp since late August. |
They say the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is too close to ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. | They say the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat is too close to ousted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. |
"I am confident in the strength of the people. We will definitely go to parliament," said anti-government leader Chamlong Srimuang. | "I am confident in the strength of the people. We will definitely go to parliament," said anti-government leader Chamlong Srimuang. |
Local media said the march was set to go ahead early on Monday, ahead of a planned parliament meeting. | Local media said the march was set to go ahead early on Monday, ahead of a planned parliament meeting. |
Troops ready | Troops ready |
The last march aimed at preventing a parliament session on 7 October erupted into the worst street violence Bangkok had seen in 16 years, as police fired tear gas and clashed with rowdy PAD protesters. | The last march aimed at preventing a parliament session on 7 October erupted into the worst street violence Bangkok had seen in 16 years, as police fired tear gas and clashed with rowdy PAD protesters. |
A spokesman for Mr Somchai said police had been ordered not to use tear gas or weapons this time, but insisted that the parliament meeting would go ahead as planned. | A spokesman for Mr Somchai said police had been ordered not to use tear gas or weapons this time, but insisted that the parliament meeting would go ahead as planned. |
The PAD group launched their anti-government campaign in May | |
Officials said nearly 2,000 soldiers were on stand-by if the police needed help. | Officials said nearly 2,000 soldiers were on stand-by if the police needed help. |
The PAD is calling the march its "final battle" to oust the government, which it blames for a grenade attack last week that killed one person and wounded 23. Another grenade blast near their protest site wounded eight PAD security guards on Saturday. | The PAD is calling the march its "final battle" to oust the government, which it blames for a grenade attack last week that killed one person and wounded 23. Another grenade blast near their protest site wounded eight PAD security guards on Saturday. |
Mr Somchai has denied the government or its supporters are behind the blasts. Police have made no arrests so far. | Mr Somchai has denied the government or its supporters are behind the blasts. Police have made no arrests so far. |
As anti-government supporters gathered for the demonstration, police said about 10,000 pro-Thaksin supporters had descended on a Buddhist temple just outside Bangkok to support the government. | As anti-government supporters gathered for the demonstration, police said about 10,000 pro-Thaksin supporters had descended on a Buddhist temple just outside Bangkok to support the government. |
Leaders of that gathering said they had no intention of confronting the PAD. | Leaders of that gathering said they had no intention of confronting the PAD. |
The PAD wants to replace Thailand's one-man, one-vote system with one in which some representatives are chosen by professions and social groups rather than the general electorate. | The PAD wants to replace Thailand's one-man, one-vote system with one in which some representatives are chosen by professions and social groups rather than the general electorate. |
The new government says it wants to start negotiations with the PAD. But it is also pushing ahead with controversial plans to amend the constitution - a key grievance of the protesters who see it as part of a plan to rehabilitate former PM Thaksin. | The new government says it wants to start negotiations with the PAD. But it is also pushing ahead with controversial plans to amend the constitution - a key grievance of the protesters who see it as part of a plan to rehabilitate former PM Thaksin. |
Mr Thaksin, Mr Somchai's brother-in-law, was forced from office in a military coup in 2006 and remains in exile overseas. | Mr Thaksin, Mr Somchai's brother-in-law, was forced from office in a military coup in 2006 and remains in exile overseas. |
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