TODAYonline

15,000 Thaksin supporters rally

Reacting to PAD, they say they do not want a coup

BANGKOK — Around 15,000 supporters of ousted Premier Thaksin Shinawatra massed in Bangkok yesterday to show support for the embattled government, raising fears of clashes with rivals besieging the airports.

Bedecked in red shirts to differentiate themselves from their yellow-clad foes in the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the pro-government supporters :rallied for the first time in the six-day stand-off. Some waved Thai flags and wore headbands reading simply “Thaksin”, while others had “No Coup” on their red headbands.

“We gather here today to protect the democratic system, to say we don’t want a coup,” said Mr Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the pro-government group known as the “Red Shirts”, adding that they would stay there until Thursday.

The government’s failure to end the occupation of Bangkok’s two airports by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has sparked speculation of a repeat of the coup that toppled Mr Thaksin in 2006.

The PAD — whose supporters wear yellow, in what they say is a symbol of their desire to protect Thailand’s revered monarchy — have refused to budge until Mr Thaksin’s brother-in-law, PrimeMinister Somchai Wongsawat, resigns.

The demonstration took place about five kilometres away from where a grenade attack early yesterday wounded49 PAD supporters who have occupied the nearby Prime Minister’s Cabinet offices since August. Hours later, a blast outside Bangkok’s domestic Don Muang airport injured two passersby, police said.

A grenade was also found at the offices of a party in the ruling coalition.

Police said fresh talks had started at both the Bangkok airports under siege. But they later issued a new order to protesters at Don Muang, warning that they faced two years in jail if they did not disperse.

The apparent stalemate over the airports siege has prompted speculation that the rival factions are waiting for other events scheduled this week.

The Constitutional Court is due tomorrow to wrap up a case that could see the ruling party disbanded for fraud andMr Somchai and other leaders banned from politics. Meanwhile deeply-respected King Bhumibol Adulyadej is due to give a speech on Thursday, the eve of his birthday.

:The political turmoil paralysing the kingdom has left foreign nations scrambling to evacuate around 100,000 tourists left stranded by the anti-government airport blockade.

Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement: “We are monitoring the situation closely, especially when there are many Singaporeans and other foreign tourists stranded in the country ... The well-being of Singaporeans is our primary concern. We trust all parties will ... find a peaceful resolution of their differences.” AFP