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Thai protesters begin blockading roads in Bangkok for 'shutdown' Thai protesters blockade roads in Bangkok for 'shutdown'
(about 17 hours later)
Anti-government protesters have begun blockading major intersections in central Bangkok before a planned "shutdown" of the Thai capital expected to paralyse traffic, close schools and universities and possibly instigate violence amid fears of an impending military coup. Anti-government protesters have begun blockading major intersections in central Bangkok as part of a planned "shutdown" of the Thai capital, as they seek to paralyse traffic and close schools and universities.
Led by former deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban, thousands of protesters are expected to rally on Monday at seven sites across the city, effectively bringing traffic to a halt on 16 major roads in this congested city and forcing 800,000 commuters to find alternative routes to work, local media reported. Led by former deputy premier Suthep Thaugsuban, thousands of protesters have set up permanent barricades and encampments at seven sites across the city, effectively bringing traffic to a halt on 16 major roads and forcing 800,000 commuters to find alternative routes to work.
Suthep – a career politician who has led the People's Democratic Reform Committee against Yingluck Shinawatra's government for the past two months in a bid to rid the country of corruption - has threatened to shut down Bangkok for up to 20 days in order to replace Yingluck's caretaker government with an unelected people's council.Suthep – a career politician who has led the People's Democratic Reform Committee against Yingluck Shinawatra's government for the past two months in a bid to rid the country of corruption - has threatened to shut down Bangkok for up to 20 days in order to replace Yingluck's caretaker government with an unelected people's council.
This so-called Bangkok shutdown is the latest move by Suthep and his largely urban, elite followers, who have been calling since November for an end to the "Thaksin regime" – a reference to Yingluck's brother and former prime minister Thaksin, a hugely divisive leader who won over poor northern farmers with his rice subsidy and healthcare schemes, but fell foul of Bangkok's elite, who hated the telecoms tycoon's cronyism and money politics.This so-called Bangkok shutdown is the latest move by Suthep and his largely urban, elite followers, who have been calling since November for an end to the "Thaksin regime" – a reference to Yingluck's brother and former prime minister Thaksin, a hugely divisive leader who won over poor northern farmers with his rice subsidy and healthcare schemes, but fell foul of Bangkok's elite, who hated the telecoms tycoon's cronyism and money politics.
Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and now lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai to avoid corruption charges. Yet he is considered to be the man pulling the strings behind the current government, and any new elections – such as those most recently called for 2 February, which the opposition Democrat party has already boycotted – will more than likely see a return of the popular Pheu Thai party to power.Thaksin was ousted in a military coup in 2006 and now lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai to avoid corruption charges. Yet he is considered to be the man pulling the strings behind the current government, and any new elections – such as those most recently called for 2 February, which the opposition Democrat party has already boycotted – will more than likely see a return of the popular Pheu Thai party to power.
Suthep, who served as deputy PM after Thaksin was ousted, has called the 13 January shutdown the protesters' last battle – a term he has admittedly used multiple times before – but vowed in an interview on Sunday that it would be non-violent and to call off his protest if civil war were instigated. On Monday a senior aide said Yingluck had invited leaders of anti-government protesters and political parties to discuss a proposal to push back the date of the election. Ministers have until now said a delay would be impossible under the constitution, but the Election Commission has said it could be pushed back and one member has suggested 4 May.
Yet violence remains a real threat, with businesses grounding employees and embassies worried about a return of the 2011 rioting that saw storefronts burned to the ground, 100 people killed and about 2,000 injured during similar anti-government protests. Even army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha has not ruled out the possibility of a military coup, and 10,000 police and 8,000 soldiers are expected to maintain security across the city on Monday. Suthep, who served as deputy PM after Thaksin was ousted, has called the shutdown the protesters' last battle – a term he has admittedly used multiple times before – but vowed in an interview on Sunday that it would be non-violent and to call off his protest if civil war were instigated.
Yet violence remains a real threat, with businesses grounding employees and embassies worried about a return of the 2011 rioting that saw storefronts burned to the ground, 100 people killed and about 2,000 injured during similar anti-government protests. Even army commander General Prayuth Chan-ocha has not ruled out the possibility of a military coup, and 10,000 police and 8,000 soldiers have been deployed to maintain security across the city.
Yet observers say that – for a country that has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932 – the army has been remarkably reserved throughout this so-called "people's coup". They point to past military intervention – such as in 2006 and 1991 – as proof that the army may have learned that coups can often lead to prolonged political and civil unrest.Yet observers say that – for a country that has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932 – the army has been remarkably reserved throughout this so-called "people's coup". They point to past military intervention – such as in 2006 and 1991 – as proof that the army may have learned that coups can often lead to prolonged political and civil unrest.
"The army is fighting tooth and nail from intervening and rolling out the tanks," said political scientist Thitinan Pongsudhirak. "So short of a direct army intervention, something is likely to give in the coming days, because the deadlock will intensify and become unbearable, untenable.""The army is fighting tooth and nail from intervening and rolling out the tanks," said political scientist Thitinan Pongsudhirak. "So short of a direct army intervention, something is likely to give in the coming days, because the deadlock will intensify and become unbearable, untenable."
At least eight people have been killed so far in the latest political unrest, with the US embassy in Bangkok issuing a statement to citizens recommending that they stock at least one week's supply of cash and two weeks' worth of food, water and medicine.At least eight people have been killed so far in the latest political unrest, with the US embassy in Bangkok issuing a statement to citizens recommending that they stock at least one week's supply of cash and two weeks' worth of food, water and medicine.
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