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BANGKOK : Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra told his rallying supporters on Sunday he would return to the kingdom if authorities launched a violent crackdown on protests in the capital.
In a telephone address to a thousands-strong crowd gathered outside Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's offices, Thaksin said he was closely monitoring a state of emergency declared earlier to force an end to the rallies.
"I will closely monitor the situation and if there is any violence I will return to Thailand immediately. I will not allow them (authorities) to use force," he said.
Thaksin thanked the army for not using violence against his so-called "Red Shirt" movement and urged them to join his campaign to overthrow the government.
"The troops who have already come out can come and join the Red Shirts to help us to get democracy for the people," he said, referring to soldiers deployed to enforce the emergency measures.
"This is a golden minute. We will make history and there will be no more coups in Thailand. We have to help achieve democracy for all of us," he added.
Deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban in a national televised address earlier appealed directly to security forces to get tough as they appeared reluctant to deal with anti-government protesters.
Thaksin has made a series of addresses by videolink and phone to demonstrators who have congregated in the capital for two weeks.
The so-called "Red Shirts" upped their campaign last week with a huge demonstration in the capital before moving to the coastal city of Pattaya where they stormed a regional summit, forcing its closure Saturday. - AFP/ms/de
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