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| Thai protesters gather in Bangkok for rival rallies | Thai protesters gather in Bangkok for rival rallies |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Supporters of Thailand's embattled government are gathering in western Bangkok for what they are calling a rally in support of democracy. | Supporters of Thailand's embattled government are gathering in western Bangkok for what they are calling a rally in support of democracy. |
| Earlier this week, a court ordered Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and nine ministers to step down. | Earlier this week, a court ordered Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and nine ministers to step down. |
| Thousands of police are on standby as opposition protesters are also planning a march in the capital. | Thousands of police are on standby as opposition protesters are also planning a march in the capital. |
| Ms Yingluck's removal came after six months of protests which have unnerved investors and reduced tourist numbers. | Ms Yingluck's removal came after six months of protests which have unnerved investors and reduced tourist numbers. |
| Thailand has faced a power struggle since 2006, when Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted as prime minister by a military coup, accused of corruption and abuse of power. | Thailand has faced a power struggle since 2006, when Ms Yingluck's brother, Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted as prime minister by a military coup, accused of corruption and abuse of power. |
| Their Pheu Thai party has a strong base of support with rural voters. Its supporters are known colloquially as "red shirts". | Their Pheu Thai party has a strong base of support with rural voters. Its supporters are known colloquially as "red shirts". |
| Opposition supporters - dubbed "yellow shirts" - tend to be urban and middle class. They have been protesting against Ms Yingluck's administration for six months, occupying official buildings and disrupting elections in February. | Opposition supporters - dubbed "yellow shirts" - tend to be urban and middle class. They have been protesting against Ms Yingluck's administration for six months, occupying official buildings and disrupting elections in February. |
| The long-running political conflict is entering a new and potentially more dangerous phase, says BBC World Service Asia analyst Charles Scanlon. | |
| Both sides have armed wings that have resorted to violence in the past, and no-one is underestimating the potential for further conflict, our correspondent says. | |
| Ms Yingluck was ordered to step down on Wednesday over the illegal transfer of her security chief. Another court has indicted her for negligence. | Ms Yingluck was ordered to step down on Wednesday over the illegal transfer of her security chief. Another court has indicted her for negligence. |
| A caretaker government led by Thaksin loyalist Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan is running the country and says it is working towards a 20 July election. | A caretaker government led by Thaksin loyalist Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan is running the country and says it is working towards a 20 July election. |
| The opposition says it will not contest the polls and that political reforms must be introduced first. | |
| On Friday, a rally of "yellow shirts" ended with police firing tear gas and water cannon. At least five demonstrators were injured. | On Friday, a rally of "yellow shirts" ended with police firing tear gas and water cannon. At least five demonstrators were injured. |
| At least 25 people have died over the course of the protests. | At least 25 people have died over the course of the protests. |