Singing pro-democracy songs, dancing, hooting horns and waving placards, red-shirted supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra flooded streets in Bangkok’s historic heart and threatened to stay for a week.
Most travelled from Thailand’s poor, rural provinces, piling into pick-up trucks, cars and even river boats, and illustrating Thaksin’s enduring influence on Thai politics even after his ouster in a 2006 coup, graft conviction and self-exile.
Protest leaders hope a powerful display of popular support will force Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call an election that Thaksin’s allies would be well-placed to win. They also want to convince wavering partners in the governing coalition to break away.
“Brothers and sisters, don’t give up. Don’t fight for me. Fight for the country,” Thaksin told supporters via video link from an undisclosed location in Europe.
“I am a symbol of those bullied by the elite who do not care about democray and justice.”
