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| Thailand protesters tighten Bangkok blockade | Thailand protesters tighten Bangkok blockade |
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| Protesters trying to topple Thailand's government have tightened the blockade around ministries and a hardline faction has threatened to storm the stock exchange, while major intersections in the capital Bangkok remained blocked. | Protesters trying to topple Thailand's government have tightened the blockade around ministries and a hardline faction has threatened to storm the stock exchange, while major intersections in the capital Bangkok remained blocked. |
| The protesters had planned to "shut down" the city of 12 million people, but life continued normally in most places, with school classes restarting, commuters heading to work and most businesses remaining open. | The protesters had planned to "shut down" the city of 12 million people, but life continued normally in most places, with school classes restarting, commuters heading to work and most businesses remaining open. |
| Thousands of people – many of them southerners from out of town – slept in the streets in tents or on mats in the open air. Although the capital was calm and the mood among the tens of thousands of protesters remained festive, analysts said the scope for a peaceful resolution of the crisis was narrowing. | Thousands of people – many of them southerners from out of town – slept in the streets in tents or on mats in the open air. Although the capital was calm and the mood among the tens of thousands of protesters remained festive, analysts said the scope for a peaceful resolution of the crisis was narrowing. |
| "As anti-government protesters intensify actions, the risk of violence across wide swaths of the country is growing and significant," an International Crisis Group (ICG) report said. | "As anti-government protesters intensify actions, the risk of violence across wide swaths of the country is growing and significant," an International Crisis Group (ICG) report said. |
| A student group allied to the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), the party of Suthep Thaugsuban, a career politician who stepped down as an MP to campaign against the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has threatened to attack the stock exchange. Faction leader Nitithorn Lamlua told supporters on Monday it represented "a wicked capitalist system that provided the path for Thaksin to become a billionaire". | A student group allied to the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), the party of Suthep Thaugsuban, a career politician who stepped down as an MP to campaign against the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, has threatened to attack the stock exchange. Faction leader Nitithorn Lamlua told supporters on Monday it represented "a wicked capitalist system that provided the path for Thaksin to become a billionaire". |
| A PDRC spokesman said the bourse was not one its targets. "We will not lay siege to places that provide services for the general public, including airports, the stock exchange and trains. However, we will block government offices to stop them from functioning," Akanat Promphan told supporters at a rally. | A PDRC spokesman said the bourse was not one its targets. "We will not lay siege to places that provide services for the general public, including airports, the stock exchange and trains. However, we will block government offices to stop them from functioning," Akanat Promphan told supporters at a rally. |
| Jarumporn Chotikasathien, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, told Reuters emergency measures had been prepared to secure the premises and trading systems. | Jarumporn Chotikasathien, president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, told Reuters emergency measures had been prepared to secure the premises and trading systems. |
| Led by Suthep, the protesters are calling for an end to so-called money politics and corruption and the establishment of a new government free from the influence of the Shinawatra family. | Led by Suthep, the protesters are calling for an end to so-called money politics and corruption and the establishment of a new government free from the influence of the Shinawatra family. |
| Yingluck's brother, Thaksin, was ousted as prime minister in a military coup in 2006 but is widely believed to be pulling the strings from Dubai. Yingluck reiterated her refusal to quit on Tuesday, telling reporters: "I've stressed many times I have a duty to act according to my responsibility after the dissolution of parliament … I'm doing my duty to preserve democracy." | |
| Protesters have been demanding Yingluck's resignation since November, when her Pheu Thai party tried to push through a late-night amnesty bill that would have allowed for the return of her much-maligned brother. At least eight people have been killed in protests, with seven injured at the weekend. | Protesters have been demanding Yingluck's resignation since November, when her Pheu Thai party tried to push through a late-night amnesty bill that would have allowed for the return of her much-maligned brother. At least eight people have been killed in protests, with seven injured at the weekend. |
| Analysts have raised concerns over a possible military intervention, with the army chief recently refusing to rule it out. But on Monday the protests were peaceful and festive, with singalongs and the sharing of food and drink. The protesters range from academics and businessmen to students, farmers and entrepreneurs, many of whom had travelled from the provinces. They were joined by celebrities and musicians. | Analysts have raised concerns over a possible military intervention, with the army chief recently refusing to rule it out. But on Monday the protests were peaceful and festive, with singalongs and the sharing of food and drink. The protesters range from academics and businessmen to students, farmers and entrepreneurs, many of whom had travelled from the provinces. They were joined by celebrities and musicians. |
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