Friday, 23 April 2010

Thailand's unrest spreads as army train blocked


via CAAI News Media

Thursday, April 22, 2010

BANGKOK: Thailand's tense political crisis spilled over from Bangkok to the northeast last night, as anti-government demonstrators blocked a train carrying military vehicles that they claimed would be used to suppress fellow protesters in the capital.

The confrontation came as the "Red Shirt" protesters and security forces remained locked in a potentially explosive standoff in downtown Bangkok.

The determined demonstrators are demanding Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve Parliament and call new elections immediately.

A failed April 10 attempt by security forces to flush protesters from another location erupted into the worst political violence Thailand has seen in 18 years, leaving 25 people dead and more than 800 wounded.

The protesters consist mainly of poor rural supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and pro-democracy activists who opposed the military coup that ousted him in 2006.

The Red Shirts believe Abhisit's government is illegitimate because it came to power under military pressure through a parliamentary vote - not a general election - after disputed court rulings ousted two elected pro-Thaksin governments.

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