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| Thai Police Retreat, Restoring Some Calm to Capital | Thai Police Retreat, Restoring Some Calm to Capital |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| “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.” |
| 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. | 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. |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| Protesters who entered the compound were greeted politely by police officers. They posed for photos together, and some officers were given flowers. | Protesters who entered the compound were greeted politely by police officers. They posed for photos together, and some officers were given flowers. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Protesters say they want to rid the country of the influence 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 bloc inspired by Mr. Thaksin’s party, which has won every election since 2001. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| The interior minister, Charupong Ruangsuwan, told Thai television that it was up to Mr. Suthep “how he will end it.” | 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. | 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. | 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.” | 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. 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, 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. | 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. |