Thai protesters vow 'protracted' campaign to topple govt
Protesters besieging the Thai premier's office vowed a "protracted" campaign to unseat his government as their rally entered a third day yesterday, threatening further turmoil on the eve of a key summit.
Thousands of supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra surrounded Government House on Tuesday demanding new elections, and the red-clad demonstrators have camped outside the compound since.
Numbers had dwindled to about 800 on Thursday, police said, but protest leader Jatuporn Prompan told reporters they would fight on until they had toppled Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's two-month-old administration.
"As the protest enters a third day, we still have not got an answer from the prime minister on our demands," he said.
"Therefore we have upgraded our movement to overthrow the government by every means. Protests will be protracted and widespread."
The rally comes as Thailand prepares to host the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in the beach resort of Hua Hin, which begins Friday after delays caused by political instability here.
The "Red Shirts" have said they will not disrupt the Hua Hin summit, but have been making headlines with their colourful sit-in outside Government House under the close watch of police and soldiers.
On Thursday, crowds headed to the office of the National Counter Corruption Commission, set up by the junta which overthrew Thaksin in 2006, where they pelted eggs at the building and burnt a wreath, local television showed.
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