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After Clashes, Thai Police Let Protesters Roam Freely Thai Police Retreat, Restoring Some Calm to Capital
(about 7 hours later)
BANGKOK — A day after fierce clashes between anti-government protesters and the police, Thai officials on Tuesday employed a novel tactic that returned calm to the streets of Bangkok. Riot police cleared away barbed wire, put down their shields and opened the doors to a police compound that the protesters had vowed to lay siege to. BANGKOK — Thai antigovernment demonstrators reached a truce on Tuesday in their battle to rid the country of its most influential political family, but thousands of protesters continued to follow the orders of their leader, who vowed not to give up his campaign.
“In every area where there has been confrontation, we have now ordered all police to withdraw,” Bangkok’s police chief, Kamronvit Thoopkrachang, told the Reuters news agency. “It is government policy to avoid confrontation.” Suthep Thaugsuban, the protest leader, declared what he called “a partial victory — not yet absolute” in the protests, which have brought unrest to a number of neighborhoods in the sprawling capital.
Protesters who entered the compound were greeted politely by police officers. They posed for photos together and some police were given flowers. The smiles returned to Bangkok.
But by mid-afternoon Tuesday, the anti-government demonstrations that have disturbed parts of Bangkok for more than a week reached a confusing and oddly peaceful truce.
Suthep Thaugsuban, the leader of the quixotic protests, which seek to eliminate the influence of Thailand’s most powerful political family, declared what he called “a partial victory — not yet absolute.”
“We cannot go home now,” he told his supporters. “We have to continue fighting.”“We cannot go home now,” he told his supporters. “We have to continue fighting.”
Many parts of Bangkok remained unaffected by the protests, but they have taken a heavy toll. As of late afternoon the government reported that 4 people had been killed and 256 injured in violence related to the demonstrations. Mr. Suthep’s announcement came after the Thai police employed a novel tactic that returned calm to the streets following fierce battles with protesters. On Tuesday, riot police officers cleared away barbed wire, put down their shields and opened the doors to a police compound that the protesters had vowed to lay siege to.
Protesters say they want to rid the country of Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire tycoon and former prime minister. The country’s prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is Mr. Thaksin’s sister. But more broadly, the protests seem to reflect a struggle between the waning power of the Bangkok establishment and the emergence of a provincial voting block, inspired by Mr. Thaksin’s party, that has won every election since 2001. “In every area where there has been confrontation, we have now ordered all police to withdraw,” Bangkok’s police chief, Kamronvit Thoopkrachang, told Reuters. “It is government policy to avoid confrontation.”
Officials say they expect the protests will end before Thursday, when King Bhumibol Adulyadej turns 86 year old, a national celebration. Protesters who entered the compound were greeted politely by police officers. They posed for photos together, and some officers were given flowers.
The country’s interior minister, Charupong Reungsuwan, told Thai television that it was up to Mr. Suthep “how he will end it.” The result was a confusing but oddly peaceful truce. Many parts of Bangkok remained unaffected by the protests, which have taken a heavy toll. As of late Tuesday afternoon, the government reported that four people had been killed and 256 had been injured in violence related to the demonstrations.
A helicopter dropped leaflets on protesters Tuesday morning detailing the charge of rebellion against Mr. Suthep, which is punishable by death or life in prison. A court issued an arrest warrant on Monday for Mr. Suthep. Protesters say they want to rid the country of Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire tycoon and former prime minister. The current prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, is Mr. Thaksin’s sister. More broadly, the protests seem to reflect a struggle between the waning power of the Bangkok establishment and the emergence of a provincial voting block inspired by Mr. Thaksin’s party, which has won every election since 2001.
Mr. Suthep, who has urged protesters to take over numerous government buildings, was also charged last week with invasion of government property. Officials had expected the protests to end before Thursday, when the nation will celebrate the 86th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Protesters seemed to signal on Tuesday that they would refrain from provoking the police and seizing government buildings during the holiday. But Mr. Suthep said he would “resume fighting” after the birthday.
Echoing the sentiment of many Thais who expected the protest to end more quickly, Mr. Charupong said he was “confused.” The interior minister, Charupong Ruangsuwan, told Thai television that it was up to Mr. Suthep “how he will end it.”
A helicopter dropped leaflets on protesters Tuesday morning detailing a charge of rebellion against Mr. Suthep, which is punishable by death or life in prison. On Monday, a court issued an arrest warrant for Mr. Suthep.
Last week, Mr. Suthep, who has urged protesters to take over numerous government buildings, was also charged with invasion of government property.
Echoing the sentiment of many Thais who expected the protests to end more quickly, Mr. Charupong said he was “confused.”
Mr. Charupong, who is also the secretary general of the governing party, rejected a call made by some civic leaders for fresh elections.Mr. Charupong, who is also the secretary general of the governing party, rejected a call made by some civic leaders for fresh elections.
“We have no reason to dissolve the House,” he said, referring to the lower house of Parliament. “Things are very weird in the country right now,” he said. “The minority wants to rule over the majority.” “We have no reason to dissolve the House,” he said, referring to the lower house of Parliament. “Things are very weird in the country right now. The minority wants to rule over the majority.”
The governing party, which draws the bulk of its support from northern Thailand, has a comfortable majority in Parliament.The governing party, which draws the bulk of its support from northern Thailand, has a comfortable majority in Parliament.
Violence has flared intermittently during the protests, including gun battles over the weekend. On Monday many protesters attempting to seize the prime minister’s office were hurt by rubber bullets fired by the police. Violence, including gun battles over the weekend, has flared intermittently during the protests. On Monday, many protesters attempting to seize the prime minister’s office were hurt by rubber bullets fired by the police.

Poypiti Amatatham contributed reporting.

Poypiti Amatatham contributed reporting.