Thai Red Shirts in renewed show of force
Updated
Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have continued to mass rally in Bangkok in the latest stage of their campaign to topple the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. The Red Shirts many of them supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, wants the government to call new elections. The Prime Minister is refusing to dissolve parliament but says he's willing to negotiate with the Red Shirts once their campaign is called off,
Presenter: Ron Corben
Speakers: 'Bill', Thai office manager; Miss Tanyamark, Thai accountant; Weng Tojirakarn, Red Shirt leader
- Listen:
- Windows Media
CORBEN: The convoy of hundreds of vehicles, utilities and motorbikes weaved its way through Bangkok at times more than five kilometres in length and travelling over 50 kilometres throughout the city. The protests by so-called red shirts have been calling for the Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the parliament and call new elections. So far the government has offered to hold talks and steps have been made to mediate. But protesters such as this man remained adamant the government should step aside.
THAI PROTESTOR: IN THAI
CORBEN: He says that new elections were the only thing that mattered to those in rally. The red shirt movement, which supports former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who lives in exile as he faces a two year jail term for corruption, has the backing of the parliamentary opposition Puea Thai Party.
Bystanders, especially those from Bangkok's middle class had accused Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power before his ouster in a coup in 2006. This man 'Bill' is an office manager.
OFFICE MANAGER: I don't like this - Red People; because I don't like Thaksin. Most Bangkok people they think Thaksin is very selfish. He thinks about his family only, about his business only.
CORBEN: Others such as Miss Tanyamark, an accountant, sees the present protests as symptomatic of Thailand's seemingly endless cycle of political tensions. In 2008 anti-Thaksin pro-monarchists protesters wearing yellow shirts seized the government house and airport.
TANYAMARK: They have the right to protest but some things they demand, some question I don't agree with. But even so to have a new election and yellow shirt will come out because they think the Peau Thai will win because they can buy the vote. So it's a never ending story so it's difficult to say. (They) have to talk - the government can give to them step by step. But I hope the violence it will not happen.
CORBEN: Opinion polls reported Sunday were overwhelmingly in favour of the government holding talks with the protesters. Weng Tojirakarn, a key leader of the red shirts, insists the talks are only with the Prime Minister.
WENG: Our side wants an open heart honestly tell the other side what we do want - We just want only one thing dissolve the parliament which is the minimal requirement. Let the people do the political decision again. So we need only one man to dialogue with us - that is Mr Abhisit Vejjajiva the Prime Minister.
CORBEN: So from here on do you believe you will win, you see the government going to a new election?
WENG: We believe that what we do is right way because we just require for the genuine democratic with the King as the head of state which is the right way for the development of the Thai society. Because our path is a historic path, it is a scientific political historical path, so we do not lose.
CORBEN: What do you expect to unfold this week?
WENG: We try to tell Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva that now the majority of the people have present themselves and that they support us that they require Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the parliament. So don't be so stubborn like a child -which is very stubborn to the parent. So please listen to the people and do according to the people ask you to do.
