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Protesters ring Thai government, demand resignation

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-03-27 11:20

A supporter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra holds a sign during a rally at the Government House in Bangkok March 26, 2009. [Agencies]

The court action ended one of Thailand's worst political crises: months of protests by Thaksin's opponents who brought the government to a virtual standstill and buffeted the country's vital tourist industry by occupying both the prime minister's office compound and the capital's two airports.

Abhisit said the government does not expect the protest to turn violent, and earlier pro-Thaksin demonstrations against the current government have been generally peaceful.

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"We will use utmost patience," he told reporters.

The so-called "help-the-nation" dole-out, which totals 18 billion baht (US$509 million), targets over 9 million people earning less than 15,000 baht (US$424) a month.

"We need to get money quickly into the system, and this is the quickest way," Abhisit said.

Businesses launched special deals to attract check recipients. A mall operator pledged to add 20 percent to checks cashed at its stores. KFC fast food outlets offered to exchange checks for store coupons plus 20 free pieces of chicken.

"It feels good that I am spending to save the country. What an odd concept!" said Narisara Songsawang, a 36-year-old clerk.

The program is expected to increase economic growth by 0.2 percentage points, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavenij said Wednesday.

Some said they planned to save the money for hard times.

"You watch the news and people are getting laid off daily. I think I will save it in case my husband is the next one to lose his job," said Ponnapa Sintanee, a 38-year-old mother of three. She earns 12,000 baht (US$340) a month as a school teacher.

Although the one-time measure was welcomed by many, some criticized it for targeting only about a third of the country's labor force while farmers and self-employed pepole were not eligible for the scheme.

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