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New Protesters Greet Thailand's New Gov't

Thaksin supporters force parliament to suspend proceedings

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 29, 2008 6:08 AM CST
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(Newser) – A different set of anti-government protesters converged on Bankok today, with thousands of red-shirted supporters of exiled PM Thaksin Shinawatra surrounding parliament and forcing lawmakers to postpone their session. The yellow-clad Thaksin opposition had been set to take power after months of demonstrations, reports the New York Times.

Abhisit Vejjajiva became Thailand's new PM on Dec. 17 after a court ruling banned his predecessor and dismantled a Thaksin-linked party. That enraged the exiled leader's supporters, who have formed a group calling itself the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship and are calling for a fresh election. An ally of Thaksin won the 2006 election that ended the last period of military rule, and his supporters insist they would win again in a new poll.

Thai protesters, supporters of exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during a rally outside Parliament Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in Bangkok.
Thai protesters, supporters of exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during a rally outside Parliament Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in Bangkok.   (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Thai protesters, supporters of exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during a rally outside Parliament Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in Bangkok.
Thai protesters, supporters of exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during a rally outside Parliament Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in Bangkok.   (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
Thai protesters, supporters of exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during a rally outside Parliament Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in Bangkok.
Thai protesters, supporters of exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during a rally outside Parliament Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in Bangkok.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
Thai protesters, supporters of exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during a rally outside Parliament Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in Bangkok.
Thai protesters, supporters of exiled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, during a rally outside Parliament Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in Bangkok.   (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)
Thailand's new prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, shortly after his arrival at the Dempocrat Party's headquarters Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in Bangkok.
Thailand's new prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, shortly after his arrival at the Dempocrat Party's headquarters Monday, Dec. 29, 2008 in Bangkok.   (AP Photo)
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Thailand • Bangkok • Thaksin Shinawatra • political protest • Thai protesters • Abhisit Vejjajiva

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