15th Mar 10
Thai Prime Minister rejects ultimatum
by Adam Richards
Travellers to Thailand have been warned to stay away from protests and large gatherings, while Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has addressed the nation to reject demands from protestors that he resign by midday and call fresh elections.
Anti-government demonstrators in Thailand have gathered outside of the army base in Bangkok where Mr Abhisit has been virtually trapped.
The rally, led by the red-shirt supporters of exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, is one of the largest in recent years.
Approximately 50,000 soldiers and police have been deployed in the Thai capital of Bangkok, while the protests have been peaceful so far.
Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered outside of the headquarters of the 11th Infantry Battalion barracks located in the northern suburbs of the Thai capital.
Several thousand extra soldiers have also been set there to provide back up security.
Surrounded by coalition allies and ministers, Mr Abhisit made an appearance on national TV as the protestors’ deadline for him to step aside passed.
He said that protesters had demanded that he dissolve the house before midday today, however the coalition parties agreed tat the demand could not be met.
According to reports in Thailand, the protests have not turned violent and the red-shirts said they had no plans to storm the barracks. The security forces on the other side of the razor wire have been using loud-speakers to appearl for calm, telling the protestors that they are friends, and do not have any weapons, so both sides have been exchanging light-hearted banter.
However, there is still no sign of compromise, with the government saying that it is not going to give in to any ultimatums or respond to any deadlines.
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