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Thaksin followers begin 3-day protest

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-28 21:55

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Several thousand supporters of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra launched three days of protests Sunday, sparking fears of a replay of the mass demonstrations that paralyzed the government for months and culminated in an eight-day seizure of the capital's airports.

This time, it was Thaksin loyalists instead of his opponents who took to the streets.

A supporter holds a portrait of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during a protest against the government in Bangkok December 28, 2008. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday that police would not use force against demonstrators who have closed a road at Parliament and begun to attack his coalition government which assumed power less than a week ago, local Thai newspapers reported. [Agencies]

The group - which calls itself the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship - vowed to stage demonstrations nationwide unless Thailand's new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolves Parliament and holds new elections. The alliance - dubbed the "red shirts" for their favored protest attire - says Abhisit's Democrat Party came to power this month through a virtual coup d'etat.

Related readings:  New Thai premier urges Thaksin to return  Thaksin loyalists look desperate to stay on  Pro-Thaksin party claims to have Thai majority  Thailand's Democrat Party ready to regain power  Opposition, coalition parties in Thailand to form govt

The group says the court ruling that dissolved the previous government, which was packed with Thaksin allies, and led to Abhisit's selection as prime minister came under pressure from the military and other powerful forces.

Police closed the gates of the Parliament building on Sunday in anticipation that the demonstrators would try to prevent the new government from delivering its policy statement to the legislature Monday and Tuesday. But protest leader Veera Musigapong told The Associated Press that the group had not yet decided if it would move to block the building.

Police lines were reinforced in an effort to cordon off the Parliament building and Sanam Luang, a field in the historic heart of the capital where the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship gathered Sunday.

Abhisit told reporters that force would not be used against the demonstrators.

Earlier, police Maj. Gen. Amnuay Nimmano said those attempting to prevent the parliamentary session would be charged with insurrection.

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