BANGKOK – Thousands of supporters of deposed Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra, all in red shirts, rallied Sunday in Bangkok to
demand the government step down and call fresh elections.
Supporters of Thaksin have been staging sporadic protests that
have threatened to rekindle the political turmoil that has gripped
the country since before the former leader was ousted in a 2006
military coup.
Sunday's protesters called for Parliament to reinstate the 1997
constitution that was abolished after the coup in addition to their
demands that the government be dissolved.
"If the government is sincere, why not return to the old
constitution, which was written by the people and for the people,
and return the power to the public?" asked one of the protest
leaders, Nattawut Sai-kua, adding that the protesters are
collecting signatures to call for the removal of Prime Minister
Abhisit Vejjajiva.
"Let's see who the majority vote for. I am sure it will not be
this government," he said.
At least 2,000 people had flocked to a square in the historic
heart of the capital by late afternoon with more expected to arrive
later in the evening. About 1,000 policemen were deployed in the
area, said Deputy Metropolitan Police Commissioner Worasak
Nopsittiporn.
The protesters said they would disperse peacefully by
midnight.
The popularly dubbed "people's constitution" _ which was written
with extensive public consultation and debate _ was abolished by
the coup makers in 2006 and replaced with a military-backed charter
approved in a national referendum in 2007.
Critics say the 2007 constitution weakened political parties and
shifted several responsibilities to the judiciary from the
executive branch.
But anti-Thaksin activists say his supporters are only calling
for the old charter _ and the strong executive it creates _ to
rehabilitate the reputation of Thaksin who some accuse of
installing a parliamentary dictatorship during his time in
power.
Although Abhisit has said his government is willing to support
amendments to the constitution, parliamentarians have not been able
to reach agreement on the issue.
Few expect the protests to bring about immediate political
changes, but the sporadic campaign has threatened to re-ignite
tension between the pro- and anti-Thaksin factions.
Rival political groups have staged several rounds of sometimes
violent protests. The turmoil began more than three years ago with
rallies by those who oppose Thaksin _ the "yellow shirts" _ that
paved the way for his ouster. But when his allies were voted back
into power, the yellow shirts protested again _ eventually
occupying the seat of government and shutting down the capital's
two airports.
When court rulings did in two governments made up of Thaksin
allies, Abhisit came to power. But now the "red shirts"
periodically hold demonstrations.
Thaksin was accused of corruption and abuse of power during his
time in office, but he remains popular among the urban and rural
poor. Last year, the billionaire politician was convicted in
absentia of violating a conflict-of-interest law and sentenced to
two years in prison.
Much of his fortune remains frozen in Thai banks, his Thai
passport has been revoked, and he has been barred from several
countries following diplomatic pressure from Thailand.