ASIA: Thousands of red-clad Thaksin loyalists gather in Bangkok
30 Nov 2008 10:41 PM
BANGKOK, Nov 30 AFP - Thousands of supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra have gathered in Bangkok to show support for the embattled government, raising fears of clashes with rivals besieging the airports.
Bedecked in bright red shirts to differentiate themselves from their yellow-clad foes in the People's Alliance for Democracy, the pro-government supporters waved national flags and wore headbands reading simply "Thaksin" on Sunday.
Others had "No Coup" on their red headbands, as the occupation by PAD supporters of Bangkok's two main airports over the past week has raised fears of military intervention to end the paralysing turmoil.
"We gather here today (Sunday) to protect the democratic system, to say we don't want a coup," said pro-government leader Jatuporn Prompan.
"The group will be here until December 4. We plan at some point to march to the Democracy Monument."
Police estimated that about 4,000 people had gathered at a plaza in the central government district near the Democracy Monument, while organisers have said they hope to bring out 10,000 people on Sunday.
The group is known informally as the "Red Shirts" but is officially called the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD).
Their hero Thaksin was overthrown in a coup in September 2006 after PAD protests and amid allegations of corruption, and the PAD resuscitated their campaign in May this year after his allies won elections last December.
They are rallying about five kilometres away from some supporters of the anti-government PAD, who have occupied the nearby prime minister's cabinet offices since late August.
The PAD, whose supporters wear yellow shirts and headbands in what they say is a symbol of their desire to protect Thailand's revered monarchy, is locked in a stand-off with police at Bangkok's two main airports.
