This Article is From Apr 15, 2009

Protesters call off demonstrations in Thailand

Protesters call off demonstrations in Thailand
Bangkok:

As combat troops ringed their last stronghold in the city, red-shirted anti-Government protesters called off their demonstrations on Tuesday bringing some semblance of order after days of chaos that plunged Thailand into a major political crisis.

Leaders of the outfits holding the large-scale anti-Government demonstrations asked their fellow protesters to disperse from outside the prime minister's office, where they have been camping for the last few days demanding the resignation of Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Two people were reportedly killed and more than 120 people were injured in clashes between the soldiers and the protesters on Monday.

Thailand News Agency reported that top opposition leader Veera Musikapong told the Red Shirt activists gathered at Government House to return home and later surrendered to police.

Veera earlier told the protesters that the United Front leadership decided to end the rally for the time being

after learning that members of a so-called third party had mingled in the crowd to create violence intending to deteriorate the situation, the TNA reported.

Troops in combat gear had ringed the Government House, where protesters, vowing allegiance to former Premier Thaksin Shinwantara, had vowed to make a "final stand" to unseat Abhisit.

Veera said the opposition UDD feared that if the troops forced the dispersal of the protesters, they could be hurt.

Other UDD leaders said their move did not signify defeat, or an end to their movement, but was just a temporary stop for their activities.

Bangkok witnessed burning of tyres, commandeering public buses, firing in the fire, tear gas yesterday across pockets in the city, even though a state of emergency had been imposed.

UDD protesters have been demonstrating against the government since March 26, demanding that Abhisit resign unconditionally, the House of Representatives be dissolved and a fresh elections be held.

On Sunday, Abhisit declared a state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas after the protesters forced the postponement of a summit of Asian leaders in the southern coastal city of Pattaya, embarrassing the government.

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