Efforts to Oust Thai Government Stalling Despite Mass Rallies | Voice of America - English
Efforts by anti-government protestors to force the administration of Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to resign appear to be stalling. Although the government has taken a soft approach to the protesters, there are growing fears of violence.
Opponents of the Thai government early Tuesday movedtheir protest to the temporary government offices at an airport outsideBangkok in their effort to force Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat toresign. The rallies, seen as a "final push" by theanti-government People's Alliance for Democracy or PAD, on Mondayforced parliament to delay its session by blocking access to thebuilding. While the government has taken a hands-off approachto the protests, there were reports Tuesday evening of shooting betweengroups of government opponents and supporters. In addition, about 50government supporters were seen rallying Tuesday, and blocking streets. It is not clear if anyone has been injured. The PADaccuses Mr. Somchai of trying to pass constitutional amendments to haltcorruption cases against his brother-in-law, former Prime MinisterThaksin Shinawatra. But Mr. Somchai, who has been in Peru for ameeting of Asia Pacific leaders, dismisses the accusation. Hecriticizes the PAD for leading a rebellion. Public support forthe PAD appears to waning. It has occupied a government administrationbuilding since late August and its leaders say they want to prevent thecabinet and parliament from conducting any business. Politicalcommentator and author Chris Baker says the PAD's confrontationalstrategy makes the government appear to be defending democratic ideals. "The PAD and the people behind them have time after time havechallenged the very basis of electoral democracy by actions such asdisrupting the parliament, by the coup, by wishing to get rid ofone-man-one vote. This has turned those who are opposing them - that isthe Thaksin forces - into the defenders of democracy - the simplestform of democracy - so this has become a massive confrontation," saidBaker. Security forces have so far avoided any directconfrontation with the PAD protests. Authorities seek to avoid a repeatof a clash last month in which two people died and about 400 wounded. TheThai army chief says the military will use "all necessary measures" toavoid clashes by rival groups, and he rejects PAD calls for a coup. Thailandhas faced political uncertainty since 2005, when opponents of Mr.Thaksin began protesting his government, accusing him of being corruptand authoritarian. He was ousted in a coup in 2006, but his supporterswere elected to power a year go. But Mr. Thaksin, who thisweek has reportedly vowed to return to politics, maintains strongsupport in rural areas and among the urban working class who supporthis populist economic policies of low cost health care.