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Thai Protestors Call for Removal of Prime Minister and Repeal of Constitution
December 10, 2009
By: Randi Zung | Printer Friendly

On December 10, the national holiday to commemorate the implementation of Thailand’s first constitution in 1932, protestors staged a one-day rally at the Democracy Monument in downtown Bangkok to demonstrate for the removal of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.  Reuters reports the rally was organized by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) in order to call for the dissolution of parliament and the repeal of the country’s constitution drafted by the military after the 2007 coup.  The UDD has stated that they would like the Thai government to revert back to the previous constitution under former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.  AFP reports that Thaskin said if his political allies were voted into office by 2011, they would repeal the constitution that was implemented in 2007.

The Associated Press reports that at the rally’s peak, there were at least 20,000 people in attendance.  At the rally Thaskin addressed the crowd via video conference and called for the current government to “return democracy, justice and prosperity to the people.”  In addition, the UDD protestors, dressed in red colored shirts, stated their support for the 1997 constitution, with Thaksin adding that he believed the current state of democracy is “paralyzed and weak.”  During the rally Thaskin also led a ceremony in honor of the King’s birthday.  The UDD has announced that this demonstration would be the first of many in their effort to remove the current government.  Thaskin supporters assert that Prime Minister Abhisit came to power illegitimately.

In 2006, the Royal Thai Army staged a coup that resulted in Thaksin’s removal.  After being sentenced to two years in prison in absentia for supposedly disrespecting King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Thaskin fled to Dubai where he has been in self-imposed exile ever since.    

Sources:
Reuters - Thai anti-government protesters demand new elections
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B92Z020091210

Associated Press - Thai protesters revive mission to unseat PM
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g3j-vAVG1fg3kEfnogTiH8_4EXvwD9CGFMJO2

AFP - Thaksin rallies thousands against Thai government
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jfFE9AGpPsUPu-piajwMInBXifAQ