Thai Opposition Protesters Continue Occupying State Buildings | WPN World People News

Anti-government protesters continued to occupy key state buildings in Bangkok on Tuesday after the government expanded an emergency security law amid fears of unrest.

On Monday, opposition-led protesters forced their way into parts of the finance ministry, the foreign ministry and other government buildings in a bid to topple the government.

In response, all parts of the capital and some surrounding areas were placed under the expanded Internal Security Act, under which police can close roads, impose curfews and carry out searches.

Witnesses reported an increased police presence in the capital on Tuesday, but so far there have been no signs of violence. No attempt has been made by the police to remove the protesters.

The street protests are the largest in Thailand since 2010, when more than 90 people were killed in a military crackdown on protesting supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, elder brother of current PM Yingluck Shinawatra.

Yingluck has promised the police will exercise restraint.

"I have insisted that the government will not use violence against the people. We'll proceed according to the international standard," said Yingluck.

One of the protest leaders, Nitithorn Lamluea, said he does not intend to back down.

"I want our actions in this area to show that we deny this undemocratic government. We want to communicate to the democratic governments worldwide that they should not accept anything from this government because they are a dictatorship," said Nitithorn.

The protesters accuse Prime Minister Yingluck of being a puppet for her exiled brother.

Mass protests were triggered several weeks ago by an amnesty bill that would have allowed Thaksin to return home and avoid a two-year jail term for corruption.

The amnesty bill was rejected by the Senate, but opposition-led protests have continued. Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied against the government on Sunday.

Meanwhile, pro-government protesters held their own rally at a Bangkok stadium and vowed not to leave until the opposition calls off its demonstration.

The protests have prompted statements from several foreign governments, including the United States. The State Department said Monday it is "concerned about the rising political tension in Thailand."

It urged "all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and respect the rule of law" and said "violence and the seizure of public or private property are not acceptable means of resolving political differences."

Source: Voice of America