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Thai Protests Break Up

Thaksin supporters end standoff as troops move in

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 14, 2009 3:06 AM CDT

(Newser) – Anti-government protesters have begun to disperse in Bangkok following orders from their leaders, the BBC reports. Thousands of protesters have ended their 3-week siege of the country's seat of government and some protest leaders have surrendered to authorities. After two deaths yesterday, leaders say they urged their followers to leave the area because they feared further bloodshed as troops moved in.

The protesters "really want to fight and sacrifice themselves so we wanted to prevent a catastrophe," one leader said. "We are not surrendering, we are just dispersing the gathering because we have done nothing wrong." Protesters vowed to continue seeking the ouster of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, although the end of the standoff is widely seen as a major victory after a few days where his power seemed to be crumbling.

A Thai soldier stands next to a bonfire set by anti-government protesters during a protest in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday.
A Thai soldier stands next to a bonfire set by anti-government protesters during a protest in Bangkok, Thailand, yesterday.   (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
An anti-government protester and supporter of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra pleads with soldiers outside Government House in Bangkok yesterday.
An anti-government protester and supporter of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra pleads with soldiers outside Government House in Bangkok yesterday.   (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
Thai soldiers kick a fire bomb as they clear an intersection in downtown Bangkok Thailand yesterday.
Thai soldiers kick a fire bomb as they clear an intersection in downtown Bangkok Thailand yesterday.   (AP Photo/Vincent Yu)
A Thai soldier chases an anti-government protester with a baton during a protest on the street in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday.
A Thai soldier chases an anti-government protester with a baton during a protest on the street in Bangkok, Thailand yesterday.   (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)
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