Protesters call for the army to take side
Protesters rallied on Monday at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, before heading to the Siam BTS station on Rama 1 Road. The crowds then handed jasmine garlands to the 15 companies of policemen, who had been mobilised from Bangkok and upcountry to maint
Akanat Promphan, spokesperson for the Anti-Thaksin Network, then led the crowds to the Army headquarters, saying this was a move to root out the Thaksin regime.
At the Army headquarters, the protesters presented roses and whistles, which were accepted by three Army representatives on behalf of Army chief General Prayuth Chanocha. Akanat also called on the Army to side with the people.
Core organisers of the march, including Democrat MP Chirapat Bhirombhakdi and Democrat deputy spokeswoman Mallika Boonmeetrakul, also delivered speeches at the site attacking the government for lacking the legitimacy to remain in power.
Separately, former Democrat MP Chumpol Jumsai led protesters to the Metropolitan Police Bureau headquarters, where they threatened to camp out if Metropolitan Police chief LtGeneral Camronwit Toopgrajank refused to meet them. He said he also wanted Camronwit to withdraw his statement about being indebted to former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
Upon hearing that the police chief would not be coming out to meet them, some protesters were seen hurling bottled water at the building.
Meanwhile, another group of protesters held a rally at the Interior Ministry before returning to the Democracy Monument in the afternoon.
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