The Constitutional Court voided the election last Friday, and the chairman of the Election Commission stated that it would take months before a new vote could be organized. This leaves Yingluck leading a weakened caretaker government with limited authority. The ongoing crisis is part of a long-standing conflict between Bangkok's middle class and royalist establishment against Yingluck and her brother Thaksin Shinawatra, who was removed from power by the army in 2006 and now lives in Dubai to avoid imprisonment. Despite initially showing restraint, Thaksin's supporters known as the "red shirts" are becoming more vocal under new aggressive leaders, with plans for a major gathering on April 5. Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the "red-shirts" United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, informed supporters that the destination for their upcoming activities, whether it be Bangkok or elsewhere, will be revealed at a later time. Jatuporn, who played a key role in organizing a "red-shirts" uprising against a previous government that resulted in a violent military crackdown in May 2010, is still facing terrorism charges from that time. The recent political crisis has led to 23 deaths and over 700 injuries since November. Speaking to a crowd of around 10,000 individuals in Pattaya, located to the southeast of Bangkok, Nisit Sintuprai issued a warning to Suthep Thaugsuban, the former opposition leader behind the protests against Yingluck that began in November. Sintuprai emphasized that the majority of the country is in favor of democracy and elections, rejecting the idea of a prime minister appointed by Suthep's supporters. The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) led by Suthep is pushing for electoral reforms to reduce the influence of Thaksin and his strong support base among rural residents in the northern and northeastern regions. Political parties associated with Thaksin have consistently won elections since 2001, and it is widely believed that Yingluck's Puea Thai Party would come out victorious in any election conducted under the current system. There is a possibility of impeachment looming for Prime Minister Yingluck as Suthep's supporters disrupted the election on February 2, leading to voting being prevented in 28 constituencies. The Constitutional Court has ruled that the ballot was illegal due to voting being required to be held on the same day across the country. The Election Commission will convene on Monday to determine the next steps, with reluctance to hold the February election due to political tensions. There may be a push for dialogue between opposing sides before setting a new polling date. Yingluck's caretaker government faces challenges, with the immediate threat being impeachment over alleged negligence in a failed rice-buying scheme. This plan helped increase Yingluck's popularity in the 2011 election, but this year, many farmers, who are typically strong supporters of Thaksin, have protested in Bangkok because they have not received payment for their rice. Yingluck is facing a defense before an anti-corruption commission by March 31, and a decision on her impeachment could follow shortly after. If impeached, she may be removed from office by the Senate, which is expected to have an anti-Thaksin majority following an election for half of its members on March 30. Some experts believe the Senate may then appoint a "neutral" prime minister, likely an establishment figure as requested by anti-government protesters. Kan Yuenyong, an analyst at the Siam Intelligence Unit, stated that independent agencies seem determined to remove Yingluck and her cabinet to create a power vacuum, delay elections, and appoint a prime minister of their choosing. He warned that if the government goes ahead with their plan, their supporters will retaliate, leading to a much worse second half of the year compared to the first half. Violence can have a negative impact on the economy. Despite a decrease in the number of protesters and relative calm on the streets, the government lifted a state of emergency on March 19. However, there were still incidents of violence, such as grenades exploding near a judge's home and a car bomb near a protest camp in Bangkok. In Chiang Mai province, explosive devices went off in three incidents, causing serious injuries. One of the targets was Boon Rawd Brewery, known for making Singha beer. A family member who is involved in PDRC rallies owns it. Consumer confidence is currently very low, leading the central bank to reduce its economic growth forecast for 2014 from 3 percent to 2.7 percent. Before the protests began in October last year, the forecast was 4.8 percent. The stock market did not react significantly to Friday's court decision. Some stock analysts view the cancellation of the election as a positive development, as they believe it will encourage political opponents to engage in negotiations. Standard and Poor's, a rating agency, had a contrasting opinion. Agost Benard, the associate director of sovereign ratings, stated that the Thai court's decision is likely to prolong and potentially heighten political risks in Thailand, hindering any immediate resolution to the country's political divide.