[Note: Additional photo files were too corrupted to post. -- BB]
On 26 Feb., protestors gathered at Sunam Luong to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Thaksin Suniwatra. The protest the third in a campaign that began amidst charges of tax evasion and corruption when Thaksin sold his telecommunications company, ShinCorp, to Singaporean investors. Thaksin has been defiant against the calls for his resignation, citing the 19 million votes he received in the 2001 election as proof he had support. He told the press that if there was a whisper from the throne he would be gone in an instant.
Monks leading a procession of protestors into Sunam Luong. They are part of the Dhamma Army, a sect of Buddhism involved in social causes and led by one of Thaksin’s former allies who had recently spoken out against him.
2 Protestor carrying a banner that reads, “Thaksin Oust!”
One of the many young protestors in attendance. Some people even dressed up their children for the event.
4 Police were present but only to “keep order”. They didn’t interfere and mainly directed traffic for protestors marching on the streets.
Across the street at Thammasat University there was a display for the Anti-Thaksin campaign. This man is writing a message on a massive sheet spread on the front of a lecture hall. Thammasat University was where the student protest and subsequent massacre occurred in 1973. It is a highly symbolic site and was used by many protestors as a meeting ground for the rally.
Members of the Dhamma Army chant and sing songs criticizing Thaksin and praising the protest movement.
There were medical tents setup around the grounds handing out free food and water to protestors.
The stage where many speakers and a few bands performed later in the evening.
Many of the protestors were adamant about their non-violence stance. These signs and many others like it were seen all over the protest grounds.
Bush is not well liked here either. He is a symbol of corruption and incompetence. This banner has been in circulation since January when we arrived here.
A protestor holding up his homemade sign.
12 The same protestor posing for a photograph. Naturally there was a lot of press in attendance.