Bangkok residents once again see Red shirts on the streets

The Cambodia News.Net
Sunday 19th September, 2010

Anti-government Red-shirt protesters have once again been seen on the streets of Bangkok, in defiance of the government's state of emergency.

Protesters staged a demonstration on Sunday to markthe fourth anniversary of the coup that ousted ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

While security was tight there was no sign of the violence that occurred during protests in May when a long-running sit-in was disrupted in violent action.

The protesters in Bangkok gathered and prayed at road junctions which had earlier this year been turned into a fortified encampment.

Thousands of red balloons were released and banners were held aloft, calling for the release of Red-shirt leaders now facing charges of terrorism.

Emergency laws remain in place in Bangkok and several other provinces, especially in the north of the country, which is the power base for Red-shirt supporters loyal to former prime minister Thaksin, who is currently living in exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.

Another gathering of Red-shirts was held in the northern city of Chiang Mai.