Anti-Thaksin protesters unveil updated tactics

Bangkok: Protesters seeking the resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday set out on a strategy of protesting every day at a different high-profile spot in the Thai capital until he steps down.

Hundreds of anti-Thaksin campaigners demonstrated at the Election Commission, demanding Thaksin be disqualified as a candidate from upcoming snap polls after the opposition alleged that the ruling party committed electoral fraud.

"I want Thaksin to step down so that the country will be at peace," said Ornsiri Otarawanna, a 47-year-old executive, waving a flag at the rally bearing the motto of anti-government campaigners: "Thaksin, Get Out!" Protesters from Bangkok's politically aware middle class have been holding large and boisterous demonstrations for more than a month accusing Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power.

An April 2 general election called by Thaksin to reaffirm his mandate seems unlikely to resolve the political crisis.

The prime minister was re-elected to a second term in office a year ago by a landslide victory, with his Thai Rak Thai Party taking 377 of the 500 parliamentary seats.

While Thaksin's support among the rural majority remains strong, the three opposition parties in parliament are boycotting the polls, which could leave some districts with no winning candidate, and thus block the next parliament from convening.

Protesters said they plan to rally today at the Finance Ministry and the nearby government Public Relations Department, and called another large rally for Saturday near Thaksin's office, where protesters demanding his resignation have camped out for over a week.

Police spokesman Gen Archirawit Suphanaphesat said authorities feared an outbreak of violence at the rally and were calling in police and soldiers from other provinces as backup.

On Tuesday, protesters targeted Bangkok's business district, causing banks and shops to temporarily close and paralysing traffic.

Protest organisers issued Thaksin an ultimatum Tuesday evening, giving him 48 hours to resign or face "more serious pressure." Suriyasai Katasila, an anti-Thaksin spokesman, said new tactics would be unveiled today if Thaksin failed to comply.