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Thailand protesters besiege temporary government HQ Thailand protesters besiege temporary government HQ
(about 2 hours later)
Thai opposition demonstrators have surrounded government offices – including a compound used as a temporary headquarters by prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra – in defiance of authorities who have vowed to reclaim key state buildings. Thai opposition demonstrators have surrounded government offices – including a compound used as a temporary headquarters by the prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra – in defiance of authorities who have vowed to reclaim key state buildings.
Hundreds of protesting rice farmers breached the perimeter of the defence ministry compound in a Bangkok suburb guarded by security forces. It was not immediately clear if Yingluck was inside.Hundreds of protesting rice farmers breached the perimeter of the defence ministry compound in a Bangkok suburb guarded by security forces. It was not immediately clear if Yingluck was inside.
The farmers, who have not been paid for crops pledged into a controversial state subsidy scheme, vowed to stay until they could speak with Yingluck, but said they would not raid the compound. "We will spend the night here. We will stay until we can talk to the prime minister. But we will not raid the building," farmer's leader Rawee Rungroeng told AFP. The farmers, who have not been paid for crops pledged into a controversial state subsidy scheme, promised to stay until they could speak with Yingluck, but said they would not raid the compound. "We will spend the night here. We will stay until we can talk to the prime minister. But we will not raid the building," farmers' leader Rawee Rungroeng told AFP.
Also on Monday, thousands of demonstrators – among them a hardcore group known as the Student and People Network to Reform Thailand – rallied near Government House. Also on Monday, thousands of demonstrators – among them a hardcore group known as the Student and People Network to Reform Thailand – rallied near Government House. Some poured buckets of cement on to a sandbag wall in front of a gate, an AFP photographer said, while others manned tyre barricades nearby.
Some poured buckets of cement onto a sandbag wall in front of a gate to Government House, an AFP photographer said, while others manned tyre barricades nearby.
The government is attempting to reclaim several official buildings after more than three months of rallies seeking to topple Yingluck's administration and curb the political domination of her family.The government is attempting to reclaim several official buildings after more than three months of rallies seeking to topple Yingluck's administration and curb the political domination of her family.
The prime minister has been unable to use the government's headquarters in Bangkok for about two months, and has instead held meetings in various locations across the capital.The prime minister has been unable to use the government's headquarters in Bangkok for about two months, and has instead held meetings in various locations across the capital.
Protesters have taunted her for overseeing a mobile government, which they are hoping to upend – despite a recent general election – through a combination of street action and pressure through Thailand's notoriously interventionist courts.Protesters have taunted her for overseeing a mobile government, which they are hoping to upend – despite a recent general election – through a combination of street action and pressure through Thailand's notoriously interventionist courts.
On Friday, authorities apparently shifted tactics after months in which the demonstrators have often appeared to be more in control of the city than the officials. Riot police swept through barricades around Government House meeting only token resistance. But only hours later, protesters had returned and rebuilt their barricades unopposed. On Friday, authorities apparently shifted tactics after months in which the demonstrators have often appeared to be more in control of the city than the officials. Riot police swept through barricades around Government House, meeting only token resistance. But only hours later, protesters had returned and rebuilt their barricades unopposed.
Speaking on Monday as demonstrators massed around the building and reinforced roadblocks, the protest's firebrand leader vowed to thwart efforts to re-establish the area as the seat of government. "Yingluck will never have a chance to work at the Government House again," Suthep Thaugsuban said from a stage, before helping to mix cement to build a makeshift wall. Speaking on Monday as demonstrators massed around the building and reinforced roadblocks, the protest's leader vowed to thwart efforts to re-establish the area as the seat of government. "Yingluck will never have a chance to work at the Government House again," Suthep Thaugsuban said from a stage, before helping to mix cement to build a makeshift wall.
The demonstrators want Yingluck to step down in favour of an unelected "People's Council" to carry out reforms to tackle graft and alleged vote-buying before new elections are held. The demonstrators want Yingluck to step down in favour of an unelected "People's Council" to carry out reforms to tackle corruption and alleged vote-buying before new elections are held.