PROTESTS EASE
Police avoid confrontation, raising hopes for peace in Thai city
An anti-government protester takes her photograph with a Thai policeman in Bangkok, Thailand, on Tuesday. Hundreds of Thai opposition protesters entered government headquarters unopposed after police said they would offer no resistance to the demonstrators, who have vowed to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Thailand’s government ordered police on Tuesday to stop confronting protesters who demand the resignation of the prime minister, raising hopes that days of political violence may end, but the leader of the campaign said the fight will go on.
Protesters who oppose Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have been besieging various government buildings in the capital, including Government House, the complex that houses her offices.
After days of firing tear gas canisters and rubber bullets to hold them off, police handed out roses to flag-waving protesters after the barricades were brought down. The protesters mingled with police, shouted slogans and left peacefully.
“We don’t want anyone to go inside and ruin government buildings,” said Brenda Nong, 51, a protester from Bangkok. “We’re good people. We’re here for democracy.”
Hundreds of protesters poured onto the lawn of Government House, waving Thai flags and blowing whistles. After speeches and shouts of “Victory belongs to the people!” they left the compound an hour later, and the gates were locked again. Yingluck was not there at the time.
The developments raised hopes that the latest eruption of conflict between the Bangkok-based establishment and forces loyal to Yingluck and her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, may be over.
Five people have been killed in clashes since the weekend and scores hurt. A heavy-handed
We haven’t given up, but today the police have backed off because we see the protesters just want to seize these places as a symbolic act, so we want to compromise.” PONGTHEP THEPKANCHANA THAI DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER
government crackdown would have raised questions about the government’s survival and the possibility of the military stepping in to restore order.
Thursday is the birthday of much-revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and the protesters are highly unlikely to continue their campaign on what is traditionally a day of prayer and celebration.
The government said it wanted to avoid more violence and ease the tension for the king’s birthday.
“The government is still doing its job. This morning we had a Cabinet meeting as usual,” Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana said.
“We haven’t given up, but today the police have backed off because we see the protesters just want to seize these places as a symbolic act, so we want to compromise.”
He said Yingluck wanted to open talks with the protesters, academics and others to try to find a solution. She has refused to resign.
The demonstrators, who still occupy the Finance Ministry and a state administrative center, celebrated what they called a partial victory even though the government they hate remains in place.
On Tuesday, city police chief Kamronvit Thoopkrachang said his men will not resist the protesters.
Kamronvit is close to Thaksin, himself a former policeman and then a telecommunications tycoon, who became Thailand’s most popular politician with policies to help the urban and rural poor.
Thai consumer confidence has been hurt by the protests, falling in November to its lowest level since February 2012. That, plus cancellations by tourists, could add to the problems of an economy struggling with the weakness of global export markets.