Thai Protesters Gather for Thaksin Coup Rally
By VOA News
19 September 2009
Supporters of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra gather in rain at Royal Plaza in Bangkok, 19 Sep 2009
Between 10,000 and 20,000 protesters braved heavy rains and flooding in central Bangkok on Saturday to mark the third anniversary of a military coup against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The protesters known as "Red Shirts" are loyal to the ousted Mr. Thaksin. They were watched by thousands of police as they called for the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, and for new elections.
Meanwhile in a separate development near the Cambodian border, "Red Shirt" villagers loyal to Mr. Thaksin, clashed with royalist protesters known as "Yellow Shirts" who were on their way to a disputed temple site. The French news agency reports clashes between royalists and riot police at the site.
An international court gave Cambodia control of the Preah Vihear temple complex in 1962, but some nearby lands remain in dispute. The "Yellow Shirt" royalist protesters want the government to push Cambodian forces back from the temple.
On Friday, the deputy prime minister for security affairs, Suthep Thaugsuban, said the Cabinet will enact an emergency decree if the protests spiral out of control.
Thailand＇s Cabinet has approved a special security law that allows soldiers to control the movements of protesters in the Bangkok district, where parliament and other government buildings are located. The law will be in effect until Monday.
Also on Friday, the army chief, General Anupong Paojinda, denied rumors the military would stage a coup in the prime minister＇s absence. Prime Minister Abhisit is heading to New York for the U.N. General Assembly.
The 2006 coup against Mr. Thaksin occurred while he was in New York.
Mr. Thaksin was accused of corruption and abuse of power while in office. He denies the charges and calls them politically motivated. He was subsequently convicted in absentia and sentenced to two years in prison.
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