THAILAND: Ten of thousands of government supporters or 'red shirts' demonstrate outside Bangkok, aimed at countering months of protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra

Record ID: 214567

  • Title: THAILAND: Ten of thousands of government supporters or 'red shirts' demonstrate outside Bangkok, aimed at countering months of protests against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra
  • Date: 5th April 2014
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) GOVERNMENT SUPPORTER SUMETH MANU SAYING: "There will be trouble. People won't accept it." VARIOUS OF RED SHIRT SUPPORTERS SITTING / WALKING
  • Embargoed: 20th April 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAADVIK85GM3TPFY2IKJFF7UVXU
  • Story Text: Tens of thousands of supporters of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra demonstrated on the outskirts of Bangkok on Saturday (April 5).
    The rally, in Nakorn Pathom province, is part of a three-day event aimed at countering months of sometimes violent anti-government protests.
    In their largest show of force in months, the pro-government "red shirts", or United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship as the group is formally known, said they were prepared to thwart any move to dismiss Yingluck who faces mounting legal cases that could see her removed from office in coming weeks.
    Leaders of the movement said they were not seeking a fight with the thousands of anti-government protesters holding their own rally at their headquarters in Bangkok's Lumpini Park, near the city's financial district.
    The red shirts were gathering on a country road at the edge of the city, more than 30 km (18 miles) from Lumpini. Around 3,000 police were on guard.
    There was singing and dancing during the demonstration.
    The group vowed to protect the government that they have voted for.
    "The Prime Minister has to come from the vote of the people. If anyone tries to change the administration either by a military coup or other kinds of attempts, we will fight it," said "red shirt" leader Jatuporn Phromphan.
    Government supporters accuse Yingluck's enemies of plotting a judicial coup. The courts have been unusually active in recent weeks and Yingluck looks increasingly hemmed in.
    Some of the government supporters said they foresee trouble ahead, if the court dismisses Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
    "There will be trouble. People won't accept it," said "red shirt" supporter Sumeth Manu.
    Red shirt leaders expect more than 500,000 to show up over the three days but others gave a more conservative estimate.
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