Bangkok: 150,000 march against government (photo update)

An estimated 150,000 people took to the streets on December 9 in the “final battle” against the Shinawatra government. The marches were so far peaceful and very few police could be seen near and inside the Government House complex in downtown Bangkok. There were also no more concrete barricades or fences, just closed gates.

After Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved the parliament on December 9 in the morning, The government said it has proposed new national elections be held on February 2. Opposition lawmakers resigned en masse from parliament on December 8, deepening the political deadlock.

However, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban was not satisfied with the results and said he will “keep on fighting.” There was no involvement by the army so far.

The protests had severe impact on business life in the city. Shopping malls had to be repeatedly closed, and protesters for the first time started to march through the Ploenchit-Sukhumvit area, a main shopping and tourism hotspot in Bangkok which has been spared from protests up to now. Due to the traffic gridlock, it took travelers four hours to reach the main international airport, Suvarnabhumi. The retail and hotel sectors are worried to face the possibility of having to cancel Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Bangkok Protests01 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests2 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests3 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests4 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests5 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests6 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests7 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests8 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests9 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests10 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests11 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests12 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests13 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests14 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests15 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests16 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests17 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests18 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests19 Dec 9_Arno Maierbrugger



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An estimated 150,000 people took to the streets on December 9 in the "final battle" against the Shinawatra government. The marches were so far peaceful and very few police could be seen near and inside the Government House complex in downtown Bangkok. There were also no more concrete barricades or fences, just closed gates. After Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved the parliament on December 9 in the morning, The government said it has proposed new national elections be held on February 2. Opposition lawmakers resigned en masse from parliament on December 8, deepening the political deadlock. However, protest leader Suthep...

An estimated 150,000 people took to the streets on December 9 in the “final battle” against the Shinawatra government. The marches were so far peaceful and very few police could be seen near and inside the Government House complex in downtown Bangkok. There were also no more concrete barricades or fences, just closed gates.

After Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra dissolved the parliament on December 9 in the morning, The government said it has proposed new national elections be held on February 2. Opposition lawmakers resigned en masse from parliament on December 8, deepening the political deadlock.

However, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban was not satisfied with the results and said he will “keep on fighting.” There was no involvement by the army so far.

The protests had severe impact on business life in the city. Shopping malls had to be repeatedly closed, and protesters for the first time started to march through the Ploenchit-Sukhumvit area, a main shopping and tourism hotspot in Bangkok which has been spared from protests up to now. Due to the traffic gridlock, it took travelers four hours to reach the main international airport, Suvarnabhumi. The retail and hotel sectors are worried to face the possibility of having to cancel Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Bangkok Protests01 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests2 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests3 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests4 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests5 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests6 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests7 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests8 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests9 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests10 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests11 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests12 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests13 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests14 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests15 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests16 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests17 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests18 Dec 9_Arno MaierbruggerBangkok Protests19 Dec 9_Arno Maierbrugger



Support ASEAN news

Investvine has been a consistent voice in ASEAN news for more than a decade. From breaking news to exclusive interviews with key ASEAN leaders, we have brought you factual and engaging reports – the stories that matter, free of charge.

Like many news organisations, we are striving to survive in an age of reduced advertising and biased journalism. Our mission is to rise above today’s challenges and chart tomorrow’s world with clear, dependable reporting.

Support us now with a donation of your choosing. Your contribution will help us shine a light on important ASEAN stories, reach more people and lift the manifold voices of this dynamic, influential region.

 

 

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