Police close Democracy Monument to traffic; pro-Thaksin protesters garner names to remove PM, await call-in

BANGKOK, Oct 11 (TNA) – One thousand police officers were on-site as Thailand’s anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Red Shirt movement gathered at the historic Democracy Monument Sunday evening, collecting signatures to call for the removal of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva from office, and awaiting ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s call-in from his self-imposed exile.

Thaksin-supporters are gathering names on petitions calling for the ouster of Mr. Abhisit.

Demonstrators, rejecting the government’s proposed amendment process for the 2007 Constitution, displayed banners with messages calling for the reinstatement of the 1997 Constitution.

Traffic at and around the Democracy Monument, has been closed from Khok Wua Intersection to Phan Fah intersection since afternoon.

Three thousand police personnel are standing by in reserve in the event of violence, according to the authorities, but the situation is not expected to get out of hand. Rapid response units could restore order within 30 minutes, police said.

The UDD claimed that Prime Minister Abhisit holds power illegitimately and that his government is involved with corruption.

United Front leader Jatuporn Prompan said the signature gathering campaign is a clear message to the prime minister that a large number of the Thai public want to remove him from his post.

Their Sunday’s protest also marked the promulgation of the 1997 Constitution which was abolished by the 2006 coupmakers, according to another key UDD leader, Nattawut Saikua.

The UDD is calling for the reinstatement of the 1997 Constitution, and opposes the plan to retain and amend only six points in the 2007 Constitution, which it considers simply as buying time.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will address the protesters by telephone at 08.30 pm and the protest will end at midnight, according to the UDD leader.

The Red Shirt group said their protest will not move to other areas and will end at midnight as scheduled. (TNA)