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Thai protesters pile pressure on PM

Demand resignation of govt, fresh election

AFP, Bangkok
More than 100,000 anti-government protesters rallied in Bangkok yesterday in their biggest bid yet to topple premier Abhisit Vejjajiva, deepening Thailand’s political crisis ahead of a key Asian summit.
Demonstrators dressed in signature red shirts massed outside the house of a top royal aide whom they accuse of masterminding the 2006 coup that ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawtra and eventually led to Abhisit's rise.
They also gathered outside the offices of the British-born Abhisit, where protesters have staged a sit-in for the past two w’eeks, chanting "BringThaksin back. Abhisit get out!"
Thousands of security forces guarded key sites across the capital, but there was no immediate sign of violence despite the prime minister's warnings that a core group of protesters would try to provoke bloodshed.
"We came here to expel the government." protest leader Nattawut Saikuar told the cheering crowd of so-called "Red Shirts," adding that they planned to stay in place until Friday.
Abhisit rejected the protesters' demands to dissolve his four-month-old administration and hold fresh elections, warning of strong action if there was any
Police issued a formal warning to protesters not to enter the house of General Prem Tinsulanonda, a former premier who is now a key aide to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, after thousands of demonstrators ringed the compound.
Bangkok deputy police commander Lieutenant General Chakthip Chaijinda said he had informed Abhisit that there were more than 100,000 protesters in the city and that more were expected overnight, raising security fears.
Abhisit insisted there was no threat to a summit of Asian leaders, including the Chinese and Japanese premiers, due to start Friday in the resort of Pattaya - the place where his car came under attack.
"All of the leaders still confirm that they will attend the meeting," he said.
China's Assistant Foreign Minister Hu Zhengyue expressed concern over the protests but said he had "faith first of all that the Thai government has the ability to ensure the safety of foreign delegates and leaders."
The unrest has prompted speculation that Thailand's army could try to mount another coup, but powerful army chief General Anupong Paojinda dismissed talk of a putsch.
The "Red Shirts" remain furious about the way Abhisit took power in December following a court decision that removed allies of the billionaire Thaksin from government.
That ruling came after months of protests by rival yellow-clad protesters claiming allegiance to the monarchy, who occupied Government 1 louse and mounted a crippling blockade of Bangkok's airports.
Thaksin, who is living in exile to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption, promised supporters in a video speech on Tuesday night that the latest protests would mark a "historic day for Thailand."
The nation remains deeply divided between Thaksin's followers among the urban and rural poor and his foes in Bangkok’s traditional power cliaucs of the palace, military and bureaucracy.
The country is also facing its first recession since the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, with the central bank cutting interest rates for the fourth time in four months yesterday.