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Thailand protests: Teargas fired amid renewed clashes | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Thai authorities fired tear gas amid renewed skirmishes with anti-government protesters outside key government buildings. | |
Some schools and universities closed, amid a call for a general strike on the ninth day of demonstrations. | |
Over the weekend, protesters attempted to storm the prime minister's office, Government House. | |
Four people have died in Thailand's worst political turmoil since the 2010 rallies that ended in violence. | Four people have died in Thailand's worst political turmoil since the 2010 rallies that ended in violence. |
The protesters, who want Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down, had declared Sunday the decisive "V-Day" of what they termed a "people's coup". | The protesters, who want Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to step down, had declared Sunday the decisive "V-Day" of what they termed a "people's coup". |
However, despite clashing with security forces, they failed to seize more government buildings or unseat Ms Yingluck. | However, despite clashing with security forces, they failed to seize more government buildings or unseat Ms Yingluck. |
On Monday, some protesters returned to barricades outside official buildings in the capital, Bangkok. | |
Correspondents say that demonstrator numbers appear lower than before. A hard core of protesters are still pushing at police barricades but seem to be unable to break through, they add. | |
Skirmishes have broken out, with reports of stones and homemade explosives being thrown by protesters, and tear gas and rubber bullets being used by police. | |
Several schools and universities have closed, citing security concerns. AP news agency reported that 60 schools in Bangkok, as well as the main UN office, were shut. | Several schools and universities have closed, citing security concerns. AP news agency reported that 60 schools in Bangkok, as well as the main UN office, were shut. |
In a televised appeal, Ms Yingluck's deputy, Surapong Tovichakchaikul, said the government would like to "lead Thailand back to peace soon". | |
The government would "exercise utmost patience and adhere to nonviolent principles," he added. | |
'Stop working' | 'Stop working' |
The protests had been largely peaceful until the weekend, when the unrest escalated. | The protests had been largely peaceful until the weekend, when the unrest escalated. |
Protesters entered TV stations to ensure a message from leader Suthep Thaugsuban was aired, and tried to break into a Bangkok police complex where Ms Yingluck had intended to give interviews, forcing her evacuation. | Protesters entered TV stations to ensure a message from leader Suthep Thaugsuban was aired, and tried to break into a Bangkok police complex where Ms Yingluck had intended to give interviews, forcing her evacuation. |
On Sunday, Mr Suthep, a former opposition party politician, said he had met Ms Yingluck and given her a two-day deadline to resign. | On Sunday, Mr Suthep, a former opposition party politician, said he had met Ms Yingluck and given her a two-day deadline to resign. |
"I told Yingluck that this is the only and last time I see her until power is handed over to the people," he was quoted as saying. | "I told Yingluck that this is the only and last time I see her until power is handed over to the people," he was quoted as saying. |
"There will be no bargaining and it must be finished in two days." | "There will be no bargaining and it must be finished in two days." |
He also called on civil servants to "stop working for the Thaksin regime and come out and protest" on Monday. | He also called on civil servants to "stop working for the Thaksin regime and come out and protest" on Monday. |
However, Reuters news agency reported that government offices remained open on Monday, with many civil servants going to work as usual. | However, Reuters news agency reported that government offices remained open on Monday, with many civil servants going to work as usual. |
Major shopping malls also said they had reopened, the Bangkok Post reported. | Major shopping malls also said they had reopened, the Bangkok Post reported. |
Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok said on Sunday that Mr Suthep was seeking "to overthrow the executive branch, which is treason and punishable by death," AFP news agency reported. | |
Ms Yingluck's government, which has broad support outside the capital, took office after winning elections in 2011. | Ms Yingluck's government, which has broad support outside the capital, took office after winning elections in 2011. |
However, protesters say her administration is controlled by her brother, exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra. They want to replace her government with a "People's Council" instead. | However, protesters say her administration is controlled by her brother, exiled ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra. They want to replace her government with a "People's Council" instead. |
On Friday Ms Yingluck ruled out early elections, telling the BBC that the country was not calm enough for polls. She repeated her call for negotiations to resolve the crisis. | On Friday Ms Yingluck ruled out early elections, telling the BBC that the country was not calm enough for polls. She repeated her call for negotiations to resolve the crisis. |
Thailand is facing its largest protests since 2010, when thousands of red-shirt Thaksin supporters occupied key parts of the capital. | Thailand 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. | More than 90 people, mostly civilian protesters, died over the course of the two-month sit-in. |