Thai protesters begin Bangkok blockade

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http://www.todayonline.com/world/asia/thai-protesters-begin-bangkok-blockade-bid-oust-yingluck?singlepage=true

Thai protesters began to fan out across Bangkok yesterday as they prepared to paralyse traffic in a shutdown of the capital aimed at forcing Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign and also at scuppering polls next month.

However, the leader of the anti-government demonstrators said he would call off the protest if, as some fear, violence escalates and civil war looms.

The protesters, who are demanding that an unelected council be installed to reform the political system before a Feb 2 election, blocked access to a government complex on Chaeng Wattana road late yesterday and plan to occupy six more main intersections today.

Possible clashes between rival political groups have raised concern. Pro-government, Red Shirt supporters were rallying in Ms Yingluck’s defence yesterday but steered clear of Bangkok. In Udon Thani, a north-eastern Red Shirt stronghold, the movement’s leaders said they expected 10,000 people by today.

Ms Yingluck has refused to resign, arguing that the almost 16 million people who voted for her in 2011 deserve to have a say in the nation’s future.

Mr Suthep Thaugsuban ruled out talks with the government in an interview published yesterday but said he would stand down his movement if, as some fear, there is a spike in violence.

“If it becomes a civil war, I will give up. People’s life is precious for me,” he was reported as saying by the English-language Sunday Nation. “If someone instigates a civil war, I will tell the people to go home.”

Police said seven people were wounded early on Saturday when gunmen fired at anti-government protesters in central Bangkok near Khao San Road, a popular tourist area.

Ministers told a briefing yesterday that 12,000 police would be deployed to maintain law and order in Bangkok, along with 8,000 soldiers at government offices.

“The government will let Suthep play the hero tomorrow ... It will be his show,” added Labour Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung.

“There won’t be a repeat of 2010 because the government will not use that strategy. There are no plans to use force,” he said, referring to an army crackdown on Thaksin supporters that year when more than 90 died including police and soldiers.