Thai Protests Continue, as Government Mulls Emergency Decree
Thai opposition protesters took to the streets for an eighth consecutive day Tuesday as the government considered an emergency decree following an outbreak of violence.
A crowd of hundreds were led through the Bangkok streets by their leader, Suthep Thaugsuban, who accepted donations from the flag-waving, whistle-blowing protesters along the route.
Protest spokesman Akanat Promphan said security is a concern following recent deadly attacks on the opposition protests.
"Security forces and the police should do their best, first of all, to provide safety for the people, and also to find those assailants who are responsible for the violence and havoc the other day," said Akanat.
At least 28 people were wounded Sunday in two explosions near a protest camp. On Friday, one person was killed in another bomb attack in the capital.
The violence has made many protesters nervous, though the situation remains calm and the protests still largely festive.
Though the protest numbers are shrinking, the government said it is considering imposing an emergency decree, which would allow security forces to enforce a curfew, ban large political gatherings, and censor media.
The protesters are calling for an unelected people's council to replace the current government, which they say is corrupt and engages in nepotism.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra refuses to step down. She insists on holding early elections on February 2, though the opposition has said it will boycott the polls.
The protests themselves have been mostly peaceful, as police have largely stayed away and avoided conflict. However, the protesters have not been as successful at shutting the government down as they had planned.
Thailand has experienced regular political turmoil in recent years. The conflict pits Bangkok's urban middle class and royalist elite against the mostly poor, rural supporters of Yingluck and her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup, remains very influential in Thailand, even though he was convicted of corruption and lives in self-imposed exile.
Yingluck's Pheu Thai party is expected to easily win the February vote, thanks to the popularity of her brother and the social welfare programs he enacted.
Source: Voice of America
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