Protesters take to streets in Bangkok
Source: Agencies |
January 10, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
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THOUSANDS of anti-government demonstrators marched in Bangkok yesterday, saying they had learned lessons from chaotic violence last year and had a new strategy for the new year.
About 10,000 "Red Shirt" protesters gathered at Bangkok's Democracy Monument and clogged traffic as they marched to an shopping area where massive crowds of protesters had camped for weeks last year before soldiers swept through and arrested many of the main -protest leaders.
A brief scuffle occurred yesterday at the shopping area's main intersection, which police had attempted to seal off with barricades. A few hundred protesters hurled plastic water bottles and pushed past the police, who stepped aside to avoid further conflict. The larger protest appeared to be peaceful.
Jatuporn Prompan, a Red Shirt leader who avoided arrest because he has parliamentary immunity, vowed to hold "frequent gatherings" twice a month-- a change from the large sit-in last year that lasted for 10 weeks.
"We have learned a lesson that big gatherings will not lead to the result we want," Jatuporn said.
About 90 people were killed and more than 1,400 were wounded in the March to May unrest, as the protesters tried to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call early elections. They claim he came to power illegitimately with the help of the military. Many are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006.
The gathering was called to mourn those killed during last year's violence and to demand the release of Red Shirt leaders who were detained on terrorism charges.
About 10,000 "Red Shirt" protesters gathered at Bangkok's Democracy Monument and clogged traffic as they marched to an shopping area where massive crowds of protesters had camped for weeks last year before soldiers swept through and arrested many of the main -protest leaders.
A brief scuffle occurred yesterday at the shopping area's main intersection, which police had attempted to seal off with barricades. A few hundred protesters hurled plastic water bottles and pushed past the police, who stepped aside to avoid further conflict. The larger protest appeared to be peaceful.
Jatuporn Prompan, a Red Shirt leader who avoided arrest because he has parliamentary immunity, vowed to hold "frequent gatherings" twice a month-- a change from the large sit-in last year that lasted for 10 weeks.
"We have learned a lesson that big gatherings will not lead to the result we want," Jatuporn said.
About 90 people were killed and more than 1,400 were wounded in the March to May unrest, as the protesters tried to force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to call early elections. They claim he came to power illegitimately with the help of the military. Many are supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006.
The gathering was called to mourn those killed during last year's violence and to demand the release of Red Shirt leaders who were detained on terrorism charges.
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