Thailand braces for new protests
Thai anti-government protesters on December 6 were preparing to relaunch their campaign to overthrow the government after a temporary truce for the birthday of the country’s revered king.
The king did not specifically mention the recent unrest at a formal ceremony on December 5 attended by dignitaries, including the embattled premier, but he said the country “has been peaceful for a long time because everybody worked together”.
“Every Thai should be aware of this and should perform their role for the benefit of the country, which is the stability and security of the country,” he said in the speech broadcast on all television channels.
Despite the call by the ailing monarch, the demonstrators have vowed to step up their rallies after the lull in tensions, which follows violence that left five people dead and more than 200 injured.
However, protesters had no immediate plans for action before the weekend and will await an “important speech” in the evening from their leader Suthep Thaugsuban about their next move, said Akanat Promphan, a spokesman for the demonstrators.
With fresh unrest looming, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has cancelled 3 planned trips overseas next week to Russia, Japan and to the opening ceremony of the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar, her office said.
[caption id="attachment_18461" align="alignleft" width="300"] Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and officials sing the Thai national anthem at the King's birthday celebrations in Hua Hin on December 5[/caption] Thai anti-government protesters on December 6 were preparing to relaunch their campaign to overthrow the government after a temporary truce for the birthday of the country's revered king. The king did not specifically mention the recent unrest at a formal ceremony on December 5 attended by dignitaries, including the embattled premier, but he said the country "has been peaceful for a long time because everybody worked together". "Every Thai should be aware of...
Thai anti-government protesters on December 6 were preparing to relaunch their campaign to overthrow the government after a temporary truce for the birthday of the country’s revered king.
The king did not specifically mention the recent unrest at a formal ceremony on December 5 attended by dignitaries, including the embattled premier, but he said the country “has been peaceful for a long time because everybody worked together”.
“Every Thai should be aware of this and should perform their role for the benefit of the country, which is the stability and security of the country,” he said in the speech broadcast on all television channels.
Despite the call by the ailing monarch, the demonstrators have vowed to step up their rallies after the lull in tensions, which follows violence that left five people dead and more than 200 injured.
However, protesters had no immediate plans for action before the weekend and will await an “important speech” in the evening from their leader Suthep Thaugsuban about their next move, said Akanat Promphan, a spokesman for the demonstrators.
With fresh unrest looming, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has cancelled 3 planned trips overseas next week to Russia, Japan and to the opening ceremony of the Southeast Asian Games in Myanmar, her office said.
