This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6707475.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Thaksin supporters rally over ban | Thaksin supporters rally over ban |
(about 12 hours later) | |
Supporters of Thailand's now outlawed Thai Rak Thai party have held protests in the capital Bangkok - but the rally was smaller than expected. | Supporters of Thailand's now outlawed Thai Rak Thai party have held protests in the capital Bangkok - but the rally was smaller than expected. |
More than 1,000 demonstrators wearing yellow headbands called for an end to the military leadership that came to power after a coup last September. | More than 1,000 demonstrators wearing yellow headbands called for an end to the military leadership that came to power after a coup last September. |
Security has been high since a court on Wednesday found Thai Rak Thai guilty of electoral violations last year. | Security has been high since a court on Wednesday found Thai Rak Thai guilty of electoral violations last year. |
The party was banned and its leaders barred from politics for five years. | The party was banned and its leaders barred from politics for five years. |
The same court cleared the country's other main political party, the Democrats, of similar charges of election fraud. | The same court cleared the country's other main political party, the Democrats, of similar charges of election fraud. |
Thai Rak Thai leaders condemned the outcome as unfair but have urged people to accept it. | Thai Rak Thai leaders condemned the outcome as unfair but have urged people to accept it. |
The party's founder, Thaksin Shinawatra - who was prime minister until he was ousted in the coup - urged "everyone to stay calm and don't make any moves". | The party's founder, Thaksin Shinawatra - who was prime minister until he was ousted in the coup - urged "everyone to stay calm and don't make any moves". |
State of emergency | State of emergency |
Hundreds of police - including bomb squad teams and police dogs - were deployed around Bangkok ahead of the demonstration. | Hundreds of police - including bomb squad teams and police dogs - were deployed around Bangkok ahead of the demonstration. |
Security officials had feared thousands of people could descend on the capital following Wednesday's verdict. | Security officials had feared thousands of people could descend on the capital following Wednesday's verdict. |
The ruling is a victory for democracy Ekasit Paosila, 74 | |
But it was a relatively small crowd that gathered in central Bangkok on Thursday afternoon to register their opposition to the post-coup leadership. | But it was a relatively small crowd that gathered in central Bangkok on Thursday afternoon to register their opposition to the post-coup leadership. |
"Junta, get out!" cried the protesters, many of whom cheered when Mr Thaksin's name was shouted out. | "Junta, get out!" cried the protesters, many of whom cheered when Mr Thaksin's name was shouted out. |
Thai Rak Thai party official Veera Musigapong - who is among 111 leading party members including Mr Thaksin to be banned from politics for the next five years - was among the crowd. | Thai Rak Thai party official Veera Musigapong - who is among 111 leading party members including Mr Thaksin to be banned from politics for the next five years - was among the crowd. |
"As someone who was personally affected, I am not accepting the decision of the tribunal which was set up by the coup leaders and their illegitimate power," he said. | "As someone who was personally affected, I am not accepting the decision of the tribunal which was set up by the coup leaders and their illegitimate power," he said. |
Thailand's leaders had been braced for unrest this week, putting thousands of troops on stand-by and setting up checkpoints into and out of the capital. | Thailand's leaders had been braced for unrest this week, putting thousands of troops on stand-by and setting up checkpoints into and out of the capital. |
It's an unexpected ruling and we are disappointed by the verdict - it's too harsh on Thai Rak Thai Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra | It's an unexpected ruling and we are disappointed by the verdict - it's too harsh on Thai Rak Thai Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra |
The measures were boosted following the verdict, and army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin said a few "hardcore" allies of Mr Thaksin were being specifically monitored. | The measures were boosted following the verdict, and army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin said a few "hardcore" allies of Mr Thaksin were being specifically monitored. |
"Security measures have been stepped up since last night and will gradually be increased," he told the AFP news agency. "The measures will be in place for a long time". | "Security measures have been stepped up since last night and will gradually be increased," he told the AFP news agency. "The measures will be in place for a long time". |
Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chalanont had warned he would impose a state of emergency if violence broke out. | Interim Prime Minister Surayud Chalanont had warned he would impose a state of emergency if violence broke out. |
Growing disenchantment | Growing disenchantment |
In a day of drama on Wednesday, a constitutional tribunal found Thai Rak Thai guilty of malpractice during the April 2006 electoral campaign. | In a day of drama on Wednesday, a constitutional tribunal found Thai Rak Thai guilty of malpractice during the April 2006 electoral campaign. |
Announcing their verdict in a heavily-guarded Bangkok courtroom, after hours of suspense, the panel of judges ruled that the party should be disbanded and its leaders banned from office. | Announcing their verdict in a heavily-guarded Bangkok courtroom, after hours of suspense, the panel of judges ruled that the party should be disbanded and its leaders banned from office. |
HAVE YOUR SAY Thai courts are known to lack independence. It is sad that the great achievements of Thaksin are overlooked Robert, Chiangrai Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY Thai courts are known to lack independence. It is sad that the great achievements of Thaksin are overlooked Robert, Chiangrai Send us your comments |
Earlier, they ruled that the Democrats - Thailand's oldest political party - had not maligned Thai Rak Thai in the same elections and would not have to disband. | Earlier, they ruled that the Democrats - Thailand's oldest political party - had not maligned Thai Rak Thai in the same elections and would not have to disband. |
Following the malpractice allegations, the April 2006 elections were annulled. Prime Minister Thaksin was ousted by the coup a few months later. | Following the malpractice allegations, the April 2006 elections were annulled. Prime Minister Thaksin was ousted by the coup a few months later. |
Despite allegations of corruption that surrounded Mr Thaksin during his time in office, both he and Thai Rak Thai still retain widespread popularity, especially in rural areas. | Despite allegations of corruption that surrounded Mr Thaksin during his time in office, both he and Thai Rak Thai still retain widespread popularity, especially in rural areas. |
The military leadership has promised new elections and a constitution by the end of this year. | The military leadership has promised new elections and a constitution by the end of this year. |
But frustration with the interim government has been growing and the economy is struggling. | But frustration with the interim government has been growing and the economy is struggling. |