Bangkok: From ‘shutdown’ to ‘paralysis’
Anti-government protesters in Bangkok have vowed to “paralyse” the entire capital on the coming election day on February 2, turning the city into “one big walking street and picnic ground”, as protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban put it.
“We will make all the roads in Bangkok walking streets, picnic streets, and we will eat in the middle of the road,” Suthep told supporters at Pathumwan intersection on January 29.
The protesters and their allies will hold “massive protest marches” along several major roads throughout election day. Suthep claimed the marches were “not intended to obstruct the election, but only to express the protesters’ opposition to it.”
Suthep also believed the February 2 poll would be nullified by the court later as voting could not be held in some provinces and constituencies. He said voters who do not exercise their right to vote need not worry about the legal consequences as the poll will eventually be declared null and void.
Meanwhile, police increased the number of police deployed to safeguard the elections to 250,000 from 200,000 all over Thailand.
The continued protests have had their toll on local businesses and services. Customer numbers of shopping malls and restaurants have dropped dramatically in central Bangkok, with many shop owners considering closing down their businesses until after the rallies finish and staff left in despair. One prominent victim is the popular To-Sit Restaurant at Siam Square, which served modern Thai cuisine for 13 years, saying that customer numbers and profits have fallen “beyond repair” due to the protests.
Anti-government protesters in Bangkok have vowed to "paralyse" the entire capital on the coming election day on February 2, turning the city into "one big walking street and picnic ground”, as protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban put it. “We will make all the roads in Bangkok walking streets, picnic streets, and we will eat in the middle of the road,” Suthep told supporters at Pathumwan intersection on January 29. The protesters and their allies will hold “massive protest marches” along several major roads throughout election day. Suthep claimed the marches were "not intended to obstruct the election, but only to express...
Anti-government protesters in Bangkok have vowed to “paralyse” the entire capital on the coming election day on February 2, turning the city into “one big walking street and picnic ground”, as protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban put it.
“We will make all the roads in Bangkok walking streets, picnic streets, and we will eat in the middle of the road,” Suthep told supporters at Pathumwan intersection on January 29.
The protesters and their allies will hold “massive protest marches” along several major roads throughout election day. Suthep claimed the marches were “not intended to obstruct the election, but only to express the protesters’ opposition to it.”
Suthep also believed the February 2 poll would be nullified by the court later as voting could not be held in some provinces and constituencies. He said voters who do not exercise their right to vote need not worry about the legal consequences as the poll will eventually be declared null and void.
Meanwhile, police increased the number of police deployed to safeguard the elections to 250,000 from 200,000 all over Thailand.
The continued protests have had their toll on local businesses and services. Customer numbers of shopping malls and restaurants have dropped dramatically in central Bangkok, with many shop owners considering closing down their businesses until after the rallies finish and staff left in despair. One prominent victim is the popular To-Sit Restaurant at Siam Square, which served modern Thai cuisine for 13 years, saying that customer numbers and profits have fallen “beyond repair” due to the protests.
