Tension remains high in Bangkok

Tensions between anti-government protestors and security forces in Bangkok remained high on Tuesday after police attempted to pressure rally leaders to move away from a key intersection in the capital that they have occupied for the past four days.

The anti-government protestors, known for wearing red and led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) had planned to move convoys of vehicles into 11 key areas of the city on Tuesday.

However, the deployment of hundreds of military and air force security personnel put a temporary halt to the convoys.

Nonetheless, the Thai police insisted there were no plans to crack down on the protestors.

UDD is adamant government should step down

Weng Tojirakarn, a key protest leader said the UDD, which supports former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was adamant that the government should step down. "We would like to show the government that in reality we have a very huge number of people who support us. The government must change their mind – it must dissolve parliament as soon as possible, within 15 days."

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told TV audiences on Tuesday that the government was looking to return the situation to normal as soon as possible. He also said he had called on security officials to enforce the law.

The government has applied an internal security act that gives the military powers to support local police.

Minor clashes

Several minor clashes occurred between security forces and UDD protestors as they tried to expand the protest away from the Ratchaprasong intersection, which is close to several five-star hotels, upmarket malls and retailers. Most businesses in the area have been closed since Saturday with estimated losses of 15 million dollars a day.

A stand-off between troops and dozens of Red Shirt protestors was tense as a truck was driven towards the line of soldiers but the troops eventually backed down.

A Thai woman protestor at the scene said she was at the rally to press the government for a new election. She added that she was concerned that the military may crack down on the protestors but insisted she was not afraid.

Inequality at heart of protests

Another protestor, from the middle class and who had worked in the United States, said she believed dissatisfaction over economic inequality was at the heart of the protests.

"Whoever has the most connections can get whatever they want," she said. "Life for the poor is getting worse and the rich are taking advantage of the people."

Despite the protests, public opinion polls in recent days have indicated that many Thais want Abhisit's government to remain in office so it can steer the economy, which is now showing signs of growth after last year's recession, instead of resigning and calling elections that would only increase uncertainty.

Author: Ron Corben
Editor: Anne Thomas