Street demonstrations in Bangkok

BANGKOK, Thailand – The capital braces for further street demonstrations against the government’s plan to push ahead with a controversial amnesty bill that many see as a disguise to allow deposed form

BANGKOK, Thailand – The capital braces for further street demonstrations against the government’s plan to push ahead with a controversial amnesty bill that many see as a disguise to allow deposed former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to return to Thailand.

Security authorities are confident of their ability to handle anti-government protesters who will attempt to derail the parliament debate of the amnesty bill.

Tensions rose on Tuesday after Pheu Thai members and government whips reaffirmed their plan to put the bill on the House agenda, despite a call from the opposition to withdraw the legislation, to avoid any potential clashes.

The People’s Army, who oppose the government, are rallying at Lumpini Park, decided to step up their campaign today and tomorrow after being tipped off that the Cabinet may back an emergency decree on political amnesty, and cite the anti-government rally as a reason for doing this.

The group yesterday submitted letters clarifying the causes and objectives of the rally to the EU, United Kingdom, Chinese and Japanese embassies in Bangkok.

Police have already sealed off areas leading to parliament and Government House by deploying 38,910 officers from 20 units to prevent the People’s Army from interfering with access to parliament. Dusit, Prompap, Sattrupai and Phra Nakhon districts are subject to the Internal Security Act (ISA) until Saturday. Live broadcast of today’s parliament debate normally televised on Channel 11 has been replaced.

The People’s Force for Democracy to Overthrow Thaksinism (Pefot) on Tuesday issued a statement calling for its supporters to gather at Lumpini Park today at 9am to prepare for a move to fulfil the group’s objective of toppling the Thaksin regime.

The Pheu Thai Governing Party has set up a war room to follow the protest situation and to coordinate with security officials to make sure that all MPs can enter parliament for the debate on the bill.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) citing security concerns, has ordered nine schools to close for three days between Wednesday and Friday because of the planned rally, Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra announced on Tuesday.

Bangkok’s airport are operating normally and all transport.

Congestion and heavy traffic is expected due to road closures and some skytrain stations temporarily closed.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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