Thai Protesters Gather at "Final Battleground"

2010-04-16 62

Thailand's red-shirted protesters have abandoned their protest site in Bangkok's historical district, following last weekend's protests that left 24 people dead.

Police clear rubble from the area, marked with reminders of the deadly clashes.
A poster of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva reads "tyrant,” while makeshift memorials commemorate those killed.

The "red shirts" are now congregating in Bangkok's upmarket shopping district, which they call "the final battleground".

But there is no end in sight to the standoff between the government and the protesters, who still demand fresh elections.

[Narong Tipnuan, Protester]: (Thai)
"We are not sure how many more casualties we will have. We are not confident when this will end, as the government is still resisting our demands."

The protesters support ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was recently photographed with officials in Saudi Arabia.

Most of the "red-shirts" come from Thailand's rural provinces, where Thaksin remains popular due to his programs that provided affordable health care.

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