Counter rallies in Thailand

Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Bangkok on Saturday in a bid to halt the latest developments in Thailand's government, which currently finds itself under the control of a caretaker cabinet and a newly appointed prime minister.

Anti-government protesters have been seeking the removal of the remaining Yingluck cabinet. They dismissed the newly appointed prime minister – former Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan, who was installed after Yingluck was found guilty of nepotism earlier this week - calling for the Senate to act.

"There is no prime minister, no caretaker, just an acting prime minister with little power. The time has come for the senate to appoint one," leading anti-government protester Suthep Thuagsuban told the crowd on Saturday.

"Thailand has no real government," Suthep added.

The latest wave of demonstrations came in response to the Constitutional Court's guilty ruling that forced Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office for illegally appointing a relative to a government position. She also faces impeachement by the Senate for a failed rice subsidy scheme.

On Friday, anti-government protesters laid siege to television stations and surrounded state offices in a bid to impose their demands. Police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse hundreds of people who were trying to force their way into the government security agency. Six people were reported to have been injured.

New premier could spark 'civil war'

However, the pro-government supporters – the Red Shirts – depicted opposition's calls as dangerous to the well-being of Thailand, during their counter rally on the edge of Bangkok on Saturday.

"It is clear that [anti-government leader] Suthep thinks there is no government…that he is looking to the Senate to install a neutral prime minister. This is illegal," Jatuporn Prompan, who leads the Red Shirts, said.

"I want my voice to be heard by the presidents of three courts and the Senate…that you are going to create a disaster in the nation [by installing an unelected prime minister]," Jatuporn said. "You are going to a serious crisis that could lead to a civil war that no one wants to see."

Six months of severe political unrest in Thailand have impacted negatively on investment, tourism and growth in what is Southeast-Asia's second-largest economy.

The crisis has unfolded since Thaksin was toppled by a military coup in 2006 over accusations of corruption and abuse of power. He however remains very popular among the rural poor in the north and northeast, and parties controlled by him have won every national election since 2001.

kms/jm (AP, Reuters)