This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25149480
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Thailand protesters target army, ruling party headquarters | Thailand protesters target army, ruling party headquarters |
| (5 days later) | |
| Hundreds of protesters in Thailand forced their way into the army headquarters in Bangkok, on the sixth day of anti-government rallies. | Hundreds of protesters in Thailand forced their way into the army headquarters in Bangkok, on the sixth day of anti-government rallies. |
| The protesters broke open a gate, held a rally in the compound asking for the army's help in their campaign, and later withdrew without confrontation. | The protesters broke open a gate, held a rally in the compound asking for the army's help in their campaign, and later withdrew without confrontation. |
| On Thursday, PM Yingluck Shinawatra called for an end to the demonstrations after surviving a no-confidence vote. | On Thursday, PM Yingluck Shinawatra called for an end to the demonstrations after surviving a no-confidence vote. |
| But protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has rejected her appeal. | But protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban has rejected her appeal. |
| "We will not let them work anymore," the former senior opposition lawmaker said in a speech late on Thursday. | "We will not let them work anymore," the former senior opposition lawmaker said in a speech late on Thursday. |
| On Friday at least 1,000 protesters forced their way into the army headquarters compound, but did not enter any buildings. | On Friday at least 1,000 protesters forced their way into the army headquarters compound, but did not enter any buildings. |
| The BBC's Jonah Fisher, who was at the scene, said protesters were massed on a lawn listening to speeches from leaders on a stage they had erected. | The BBC's Jonah Fisher, who was at the scene, said protesters were massed on a lawn listening to speeches from leaders on a stage they had erected. |
| They urged the army to come out in support of the demonstrators. "We want to know which side the army stands on," Reuters news agency quoted one protester as saying. | They urged the army to come out in support of the demonstrators. "We want to know which side the army stands on," Reuters news agency quoted one protester as saying. |
| Our correspondent described the atmosphere as good natured and said the authorities appeared keen to avoid confrontation. The protesters later left peacefully. | Our correspondent described the atmosphere as good natured and said the authorities appeared keen to avoid confrontation. The protesters later left peacefully. |
| Meanwhile security was tightened around the ruling Pheu Thai party headquarters, where more protesters had massed. | Meanwhile security was tightened around the ruling Pheu Thai party headquarters, where more protesters had massed. |
| "We are deploying two companies of police [around 300 officers] at Pheu Thai party headquarters after they asked for protection," deputy national police chief Worapong Siewpreecha told AFP news agency. | "We are deploying two companies of police [around 300 officers] at Pheu Thai party headquarters after they asked for protection," deputy national police chief Worapong Siewpreecha told AFP news agency. |
| 'No political games' | 'No political games' |
| Demonstrators have been surrounding and occupying official buildings this week in an attempt to disrupt the government. | Demonstrators have been surrounding and occupying official buildings this week in an attempt to disrupt the government. |
| During the demonstrations, which have been largely peaceful so far, participants have cut the electricity supply to the national police headquarters and forced the evacuation of Thailand's top crime-fighting agency. | During the demonstrations, which have been largely peaceful so far, participants have cut the electricity supply to the national police headquarters and forced the evacuation of Thailand's top crime-fighting agency. |
| The protesters say Ms Yingluck's government is controlled by her brother, exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra. | The protesters say Ms Yingluck's government is controlled by her brother, exiled former leader Thaksin Shinawatra. |
| Ms Yingluck has invoked special powers allowing curfews and road closures, and police have also ordered the arrest of Mr Suthep - but so far no move has been made to detain him. | Ms Yingluck has invoked special powers allowing curfews and road closures, and police have also ordered the arrest of Mr Suthep - but so far no move has been made to detain him. |
| In a televised address on Thursday, Ms Yingluck said the protesters should negotiate with the government. | In a televised address on Thursday, Ms Yingluck said the protesters should negotiate with the government. |
| "The government doesn't want to enter into any political games because we believe it will cause the economy to deteriorate," she said. | "The government doesn't want to enter into any political games because we believe it will cause the economy to deteriorate," she said. |
| An estimated 100,000 opposition supporters protested in Bangkok on Sunday, although the numbers appear to have dropped significantly during the week. | An estimated 100,000 opposition supporters protested in Bangkok on Sunday, although the numbers appear to have dropped significantly during the week. |
| Some reports expect turnout to rise again over the weekend. | Some reports expect turnout to rise again over the weekend. |
| The country is facing its largest protests since 2010, when thousands of "red-shirt" Thaksin supporters occupied key parts of the capital. More than 90 people, mostly civilian protesters, died over the course of the two-month sit-in. | The country is facing its largest protests since 2010, when thousands of "red-shirt" Thaksin supporters occupied key parts of the capital. More than 90 people, mostly civilian protesters, died over the course of the two-month sit-in. |
| The proposed passage of a controversial political amnesty bill, which critics said would have facilitated the return of Thaksin without having to serve jail, reignited simmering political tensions. | The proposed passage of a controversial political amnesty bill, which critics said would have facilitated the return of Thaksin without having to serve jail, reignited simmering political tensions. |
| The Senate rejected the bill, which sought to cover offences committed during the upheaval after Thaksin was removed from office. | The Senate rejected the bill, which sought to cover offences committed during the upheaval after Thaksin was removed from office. |