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Economy Spurs Renewed Thai Protests

20,000 Thaksin supporters march on PM's office

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 26, 2009 7:48 AM CDT
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(AP) – More than 20,000 supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra surrounded the Thai prime minister's office today to demand the resignation of the government and new elections. The latest mass protest in Bangkok began shortly after the government of PM Abhisit Vejjajiva began doling out $55 checks to millions of Thais to stimulate an economy battered by the global financial crisis, a move the red-shirted protesters called a buy-off.

"We will protest until this illegitimate government is gone," said one of the protesters, whose demonstration is expected to last 3 days. Stores and shopping complexes have been quick to capitalize on the so-called "Help the Nation" scheme. Stores have created baskets of products for the value of the checks, and Kentucky Fried Chicken will swap a check for store coupons—and 20 pieces of chicken.

An anti-government demonstrator carries a sign calling for the ouster of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during a rally Thursday, March 26, 2009, in Bangkok, Thailand.
An anti-government demonstrator carries a sign calling for the ouster of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during a rally Thursday, March 26, 2009, in Bangkok, Thailand.   (AP Photo/David Longstreath)
Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, right, hands over a cheque worth about $57 during a ceremony for a cash hand-out at the city hall in Bangkok, Thursday, March 26, 2009.
Thai PM Abhisit Vejjajiva, right, hands over a cheque worth about $57 during a ceremony for a cash hand-out at the city hall in Bangkok, Thursday, March 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
An anti-government demonstrator holds exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's mask after arriving outside the government house Thursday, March 26, 2009, in Bangkok, Thailand.
An anti-government demonstrator holds exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's mask after arriving outside the government house Thursday, March 26, 2009, in Bangkok, Thailand.   (Sakchai Lalit)
Thailand's government began handing out $55 checks to millions of low-income workers Thursday to stimulate an economy battered by the global financial crisis.
Thailand's government began handing out $55 checks to millions of low-income workers Thursday to stimulate an economy battered by the global financial crisis.   (Sakchai Lalit)
Protesters allied with exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra march toward the prime minister's office in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, March 26, 2009.
Protesters allied with exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra march toward the prime minister's office in Bangkok, Thailand, Thursday, March 26, 2009.   (Sakchai Lalit)
More than 20,000 red-shirted protesters ringed the prime minister's office Thursday, demanding the government resign and scoffing at its handout of checks to millions of workers as a buy-off.
More than 20,000 red-shirted protesters ringed the prime minister's office Thursday, demanding the government resign and scoffing at its handout of checks to millions of workers as a buy-off.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
Supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ride on the back of a truck during a protest rally against the government in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, March 26, 2009.
Supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ride on the back of a truck during a protest rally against the government in Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, March 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
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Local reporting on today's mass rally
Bangkok Post (Thailand)

World • Money

 
Thailand • Bangkok • Thaksin Shinawatra • Thai protesters • financial crisis • Abhisit Vejjajiva • Kentucky Fried Chicken

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