Thaksin's supporters plan more Bangkok rallies
Posted: 20 November 2009 0023 hrs

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BANGKOK - Supporters of Thai fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra said Thursday they would rally in Bangkok late this month to force the government to step down, pausing only for the king's birthday.

Thaksin's so-called "Red Shirts" will gather Saturday, November 28, said protest leader Jatuporn Prompan, and remain until December 2 when ceremonial celebrations begin for King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 82nd birthday.

"We will gather at Democracy Monument...before we march to Government House the next day," Jatuporn said.

"If the government is still in office after the celebration of the king's birthday (on December 5), we will come back," he said.

The group, whose anti-government rallies earlier this year ended with the threat of a military crackdown after riots across the capital city, will march to various state buildings to pressure Abhisit to resign, Jatuporn added.

The Red Shirts claim Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government is illegitimate as it came to power after controversial court rulings forced Thaksin's allies from office.

They want to see the return of Thaksin, who was ousted by the army in 2006 and is living in exile to escape a jail term for graft.

Last week, the populist politician caused a diplomatic uproar by visiting neighboring Cambodia, and anti-Thaksin protesters held their own demonstration Sunday, furious that he hadn't been extradited to Thailand.

Abhisit said he was awaiting intelligence reports before deciding whether or not to invoke an Internal Security Act that would place the army in charge of security for the rallies.

Thailand has been wracked by months of rival protests that has left the country in turmoil.

The kingdom is deeply divided between Thaksin's supporters, drawn largely from the rural poor, and the country's elite, who loathe him.

- AFP/ir