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Protesters march ahead of graft ruling on Thaksin

Thousands of people marched in central Bangkok on Sunday to denounce alleged police brutality earlier this month when two people died and hundreds were injured in clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 00:55 October 21, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Anti-government protesters march during a rally in Bangkok. Protesters called for the resignation of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.
  • Image Credit: AP

Bangkok: Thousands of people marched in central Bangkok on Sunday to denounce alleged police brutality earlier this month when two people died and hundreds were injured in clashes between anti-government protesters and riot police.

The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which has occupied the prime minister's compound since August, said it would bring in thousands more to the capital ahead of a court ruling in a graft case against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra today.

"Wanted: Somchai Wongsawat, Murderer," read one placard, referring to the present prime minister, whom the PAD accuses of ordering police to disperse a crowd in front of parliament on October 7, which led to the violence.

Prime Minister Somchai, a brother-in-law of Thaksin, has come under pressure from the military leaders to quit after the fatal clashes. But he said he would wait for the result of an inquiry before deciding on his political future.

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