This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7675337.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Thai rally blames PM for clashes | Thai rally blames PM for clashes |
| (21 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of Thais have blocked streets in Bangkok, distributing graphic photos and CDs of last week's violent dispersal of anti-government protests. | Thousands of Thais have blocked streets in Bangkok, distributing graphic photos and CDs of last week's violent dispersal of anti-government protests. |
| The protesters blame PM Somchai Wongsawat for the unrest, which killed two protesters and injured hundreds. | The protesters blame PM Somchai Wongsawat for the unrest, which killed two protesters and injured hundreds. |
| Mr Somchai has called a meeting of his coalition partners, fuelling rumours he may call a snap election. | |
| The army has promised not to intervene, but the army chief said that if he were PM he would step down over the deaths. | The army has promised not to intervene, but the army chief said that if he were PM he would step down over the deaths. |
| About 5,000 anti-government protesters stopped traffic in central Bangkok, distributing photos and CDs and holding placards calling the prime minister a murderer. | About 5,000 anti-government protesters stopped traffic in central Bangkok, distributing photos and CDs and holding placards calling the prime minister a murderer. |
| A small number of police kept their distance from the demonstrators. | A small number of police kept their distance from the demonstrators. |
| Two people died and nearly 500 people were hurt in last week's clashes outside parliament. | Two people died and nearly 500 people were hurt in last week's clashes outside parliament. |
| The police were accused of brutality for firing teargas grenades that blew off several people's limbs. | The police were accused of brutality for firing teargas grenades that blew off several people's limbs. |
| "The truth will show why the government has no legitimacy to run the country," said one of the protest leaders, Somsak Kosaisuk. | "The truth will show why the government has no legitimacy to run the country," said one of the protest leaders, Somsak Kosaisuk. |
| Political row | Political row |
| The protesters, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), want the government to step down. They say the government is acting on orders of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. | The protesters, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), want the government to step down. They say the government is acting on orders of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. |
| Mr Somchai is a brother-in-law of Mr Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup two years ago. | Mr Somchai is a brother-in-law of Mr Thaksin, who was ousted in a military coup two years ago. |
| PAD protesters have occupied a central government complex for weeks, demanding the government's resignation. | PAD protesters have occupied a central government complex for weeks, demanding the government's resignation. |
| The army has promised not to launch another coup, but Thursday's statement from General Anupong Paochinda was the strongest comment so far from the influential army leader about Mr Somchai, who has been in power for less than a month. | The army has promised not to launch another coup, but Thursday's statement from General Anupong Paochinda was the strongest comment so far from the influential army leader about Mr Somchai, who has been in power for less than a month. |
| Gen Anupong appeared on television saying: "If I were the prime minister, and a violent dispersal of protesters happened and caused loss of lives and resulted in injuries... I would definitely resign." | Gen Anupong appeared on television saying: "If I were the prime minister, and a violent dispersal of protesters happened and caused loss of lives and resulted in injuries... I would definitely resign." |
| But he denied that the army was trying to pressure the government, and repeated his vow not to launch a coup. | But he denied that the army was trying to pressure the government, and repeated his vow not to launch a coup. |
| Mr Somchai took office after the judiciary deposed Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, an ally of Mr Thaksin. | Mr Somchai took office after the judiciary deposed Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, an ally of Mr Thaksin. |