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20,000 ring Thai PM's office

Demand his resignation

AP, Bangkok
More than 20,000 protesters ringed the prime minister's office Thursday, demanding the government resign, deriding its distribution of checks to millions of low-income workers as a payoff.
The demonstration began shortly after the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva began doling out 2.000 baht (S55) checks to millions of Thais to stimulate an economy battered by the global financial crisis.
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Ihe demonstrators, followers of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, say Abhisit's government came to power through illegal means and are demanding a dissolution of Parliament and fresh elections.
"Is he (Abhisit) trying to buy us off?" said a protest leader, Nattawut Sai-kua. "It is not going to work. We will protest until this illegitimate government is gone."
The "red-shirts," as they are commonly known because ol their favoured colour, say Abhisit rose to power through illegal means - after courts, backed by the powerful military, removed two previous pro-Thaksin administrations last year.
Ihe court action ended one of Thailand's worst political crises: Months of protests by Thaksin's opponents who brought the government to a virtual standstill and severely damaged the country's vital tourist industry by occupying both the prime minister's office compound and the capital's two airports.
Protesters on Thursday said they planned to demonstrate at Government House for at least three days but have prom -ised not to enter the compound. Their earlier protests nave been generally peaceful.
As dusk approached, the number of protesters swelled to more than 20,000, Metropolitan Police Commander Lt. Gen. Worapong Chiwpreecha said. About 10,000 police and soldiers were deployed for the demonstration, he said.
Abhisit said the government does not expect the protest to turn violent.
"We will use utmost patience," he told reporters. The government wants the situation to be peaceful so the country can move forward.”
The so-called "help-the-nation" dole-out scheme targets over 9 million people earning less than 15,000 baht ($424) a month.
"What we intend to do is get the economy through this very difficult period," Abhisit said after handing out the first check to a teacher at the launch of the 18 billion baht ($509 million) program. "We need to get money quickly into the system, and this is the quickest way." Thailand has been hit with its worst economic downturn since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Southeast Asia's second largest economy grew 2 6 percent in 2008. But it is expected to contract 2.5 percent this year, as the country's crucial export sector has slid for four months straight.
Stores and shopping complexes were quick to jump in, hoping to attract check recipients with special deals.
"Hie cneck is valued 20 percent higher if you cash it in at our store," said Chamnan Metapreechakul, senior mar keting director for the Mall Group, one of Thailand’s largest mall operators. "We expect people to spend it because it's not large enough to save."
At the Kentucky Fried Chicken fast food chain, a check can be exchanged lor store coupons with 20 pieces ol chicken thrown in for free.
"Ir feels good that I am spending to save the country. What an odd concept!" said Narisara Songsawang, a 36-year-old clerk.
But some demonstrators donated the windfall they received from the government to the protest movement, protest leaders said
The program is expected to increase economic growth by 0.2 percentage points, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavenij said Wednesday.