Thai red-shirts end rally peacefully
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The anti-government red-shirted people ended its rally peacefully on Monday morning, vowing to gather again on Saturday.
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Supporters of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra carry his posters and banners during a rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok October 11, 2009. [Xinhua] |
Thousands of red-shirted people led by the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), staged a rally on Sunday afternoon to mark the promulgation of the 1997 Constitution which was abolished by the September 2006 coup makers.
Sunday's rally was kicked off with UDD's collection process of signatures for their campaign to remove Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva charging that he had taken power illegitimately and tha this government is corrupt.
The group says that they oppose a government plan to retain and amend only six points in the current 2007 Constitution.
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A supporter wears a mask of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during a rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok October 11, 2009. [Xinhua] |
At about 08:30 p.m., protesters held a candle-lit ceremony led by ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra appearing via video link on a giant screen from an unidentified location to pray for His Majesty the King's rapid recovery from illness.
His Majesty the King last month was admitted to Siriraj Hospital after developing fever and losing appetite.
Just before the protesters dispersed around 02:00 a.m. Monday, the UDD leaders were asking their supporters to return Saturday and to continue rallying during October.
The upcoming demonstration will gather at the Royal Plaza before marching to Government House to seek progress for their petition seeking a royal pardon for Thaksin after the passage of 60 days as the government promised earlier.
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A demonstrator holds a portrait of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during a rally at the Democracy Monument in Bangkok October 11, 2009. [Xinhua] |
