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The battle continues, Thaksin tells faithful
Associated Press - June 29, 2009
Michael Casey, Bangkok – The former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has attacked the Government's handling of the economy, telling cheering supporters not to abandon the fight for democracy in one of the largest demonstrations in the kingdom in months.
More than 30,000 supporters braved heavy rain in Bangkok on Saturday to hear the media tycoon, who addressed the crowd via telephone from an undisclosed location near the Thai border. The enthusiastic reception reinforced Thaksin's political strength and indicated the return of the "red shirt" movement that supports him.
The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship – known as the red shirts – was silenced in April by threats of a government crackdown following days of street clashes and riots that left at least two dead and more than 120 injured.
Protest leaders said they are continuing to call for the resignation of the Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, the dissolution of parliament and new elections.
"We come here because we want to see true democracy," Thaksin told the crowd. "We loathe injustice. We loathe double standards. We're here to say if you want us to stop, then return justice and true democracy."
Thaksin also complained that he was lonely and serenaded the crowd with a song that included the line "Don't leave me in Dubai" – a reference to one of the cities he has called home since he fled into exile last year after being convicted of corruption. "When I'm back, I'll work for the people right away."
Police mobilised 3000 security officers and warned the red shirts not to block Mr Abhisit's office, as they did did for several weeks in March and April.
"We want to overthrow the Government which has been set up by the establishment," a protest leader, Jatuporn Phromphan, told the crowd.
The protesters accuse the country's elite – the military, judiciary and other unelected officials – of undermining the country's democracy and orchestrating the 2006 coup in which Thaksin was ousted.
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