Thai Protesters Besiege More Ministries


Thai Protesters Besiege More Ministries

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Thai protesters besieged several more government ministries in an escalating campaign to topple Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government.

Demonstrators on Tuesday targeted the tourism, transport and agriculture ministries, one day after swarming the finance and foreign ministries in the biggest street protests since the country's 2010 military crackdown.

"We have to leave because they (the protesters) will cut the utilities," Tourism Minister Somsak Pureesrisak said.

Protesters also gave officials at the Interior Ministry an ultimatum to leave within one hour, according to an AFP report.

Thailand's premier appealed earlier on Tuesday for an end to "mob rule" as she prepared for a pivotal no-confidence vote in parliament, prompted by the massive uprising that is fuelled by claims Yingluck Shinawatra's government is controlled by her brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin Shinawatra was ousted in a military coup in 2006 for alleged corruption.

"Everybody must obey the law and not use mob rule to upstage the rule of law," Yingluck Shinawatra told reporters as she arrived at parliament early on Tuesday, reiterating a vow that authorities would "absolutely not use violence."

The fresh turmoil has sparked international concerns over what lies ahead for the politically turbulent country.

The police presence in Bangkok has grown in response to the expansion late Monday of the Internal Security Act (ISA), which gives authorities additional powers to block routes, impose a curfew, ban gatherings and carry out searches, although peaceful rallies are still allowed.

About 200 anti-government protesters camped out overnight at the Thai Finance Ministry after Yingluck Shinawatra invoked the emergency law.

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