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Bangkok calm a day after clashes Thailand revokes Thaksin passport
(about 2 hours later)
Troops continue to maintain a presence on the streets of Bangkok, a day after anti-government protests ended. Thailand's government has revoked the personal passport of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra in the aftermath of the protests that paralysed Bangkok.
The streets are calm, with many residents enjoying Buddhist New Year celebrations rather than thinking about the country's turbulent politics. An arrest warrant was issued for Mr Thaksin on Tuesday, but he is currently in exile.
The Thai finance minister says that he may have to expand an economic stimulus plan in light of the turmoil. Bangkok is now calm, a day after the protests ended, but troops continue to maintain a heavy security presence.
Police are still hunting for 10 people involved in the protests. Three people are already in custody. Police are still hunting for 10 key leaders of the red-shirted protesters. Three leaders are already in custody.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - the man at the centre of the demonstrations - has also had an arrest warrant issued against him, although he currently lives outside Thailand. The finance minister is reported to have said that the government may expand its economic stimulus package in light of the recent turmoil.
The government has also revoked Mr Thaksin's passport, a spokesman said on Wednesday.
Economic boost?
For the time being, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva appears to have got the upper hand after quashing the protests by the red-shirted supporters of Mr Thaksin.
But few analysts think this is the end of the demonstrations, especially as the group managed to mobilise 100,000 protesters in recent weeks, and even force the cancellation of a regional summit.
The protesters support Mr Thaksin, whose arrest is now being sought
The government has extended the traditional Songkran New Year holiday for the rest of the week to control the flow of people back into Bangkok, and keep the city calm in the wake of the demonstrations.
Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij warned there were likely to be financial ramifications from the political turbulence, and that further cash injections into the Thai economy may now be needed.
"We were already anticipating revenue shortfalls in the current fiscal year, and that shortfall is almost certainly going to be larger now as a result of what happened over the last 72 hours - and so we are going to have to make sure we have sufficient fiscal space," he told the Financial Times.
'Revolution' call'Revolution' call
A total of 14 protest leaders have had arrest warrants issued against them as a result of the protests, including Mr Thaksin, who is currently living in exile. A total of 14 protest leaders have had arrest warrants issued against them as a result of the protests, including Mr Thaksin.
He already faces a jail term if he returns to Thailand, after being found guilty of corruption, and now he faces additional charges of inciting a public disturbance.He already faces a jail term if he returns to Thailand, after being found guilty of corruption, and now he faces additional charges of inciting a public disturbance.
Mr Thaksin had addressed the demonstrators nearly every night via a video-link. In one speech, he called for a "revolution". If he does not go back home, it may get increasingly difficult to find somewhere else to live.
The protests shut down large parts of Bangkok for the past three weeks. A government spokesman revealed on Wednesday that Mr Thaksin's personal passport had been withdrawn.
Demonstrators were calling for the current government, under Mr Abhisit, to step down and call fresh elections. "If we believe the person who holds the passport is doing anything that could undermine the security of the nation, then we have the right to revoke the passport," said government spokesman Tharit Charungvat.
A state of emergency is still in force, but the streets are quiet
Mr Thaksin's diplomatic passport had already been revoked, in December.
During the red-shirted protesters' three-week-long rally, Mr Thaksin had addressed them nearly every night via a video-link. In one speech, he called for a "revolution".
The protests shut down large parts of Bangkok, as the demonstrators called for the current government, under Mr Abhisit, to step down and call fresh elections.
Troops fought running battles with protesters, who hurled petrol bombs and drove buses straight at them. Soldiers responded with live rounds, something the armed forces' chief stressed was in self-defence.Troops fought running battles with protesters, who hurled petrol bombs and drove buses straight at them. Soldiers responded with live rounds, something the armed forces' chief stressed was in self-defence.
Clashes on Monday left two people dead and dozens more injured.Clashes on Monday left two people dead and dozens more injured.
Mr Abhisit welcomed the end of the protests on Tuesday, but said his government would remain on guard. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva welcomed the end of the protests on Tuesday, but said his government would remain on guard.
Thailand remains deeply divided, with little consensus over who should govern, according to the BBC's Jonathan Head, in Bangkok.Thailand remains deeply divided, with little consensus over who should govern, according to the BBC's Jonathan Head, in Bangkok.
For the time being, Mr Abhisit appears to have got the upper hand after quashing the protests.
But few analysts think this is the end of the demonstrations, especially as the group managed to mobilise 100,000 protesters in recent weeks, and even force the cancellation of a regional summit.