BANGKOK — Political turmoil escalated this weekend as the leader of
anti-government protests called for a takeover of all key government
agencies, including the office of the prime minister.
After declaring a "People's Victory Day," opposition leader Suthep Thaugsuban said he met with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in person Sunday evening, giving her an ultimatum of two days to step down from power.
"I only came to tell Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra that right now, people all over Thailand have stood up to show their ownership of Thailand," said Suthep, who called for a nationwide strike by all civil servants and state employees Monday.
At least three people were killed and 103 injured in skirmishes throughout the weekend, and police continued to use tear gas and water cannons to subdue large crowds Sunday. The government mobilized about 3,000 soldiers and military police before Sunday's protests.
The protest group, which calls itself the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), has waged a campaign to oust the government of the prime minister and her Pheu Thai Party since Monday.
"We want this government out of the country," said Narat Kasiwat, 25, a protester near Bangkok's Metropolitan Police Bureau on Sunday afternoon. "Today is V-Day. We expect to take over every government department."
Panich Viikitsreth, a former member of Parliament with the Democrat Party, was with a crowd of a few hundred outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We're asking them to open the door peacefully," he said.
The opposition claims the government is deeply corrupt and still under the control of Yingluck's brother Thaksin Shinawatra, the deposed former prime minister who has lived in Dubai since being convicted on criminal corruption charges in 2008.
After declaring a "People's Victory Day," opposition leader Suthep Thaugsuban said he met with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in person Sunday evening, giving her an ultimatum of two days to step down from power.
"I only came to tell Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra that right now, people all over Thailand have stood up to show their ownership of Thailand," said Suthep, who called for a nationwide strike by all civil servants and state employees Monday.
At least three people were killed and 103 injured in skirmishes throughout the weekend, and police continued to use tear gas and water cannons to subdue large crowds Sunday. The government mobilized about 3,000 soldiers and military police before Sunday's protests.
The protest group, which calls itself the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), has waged a campaign to oust the government of the prime minister and her Pheu Thai Party since Monday.
"We want this government out of the country," said Narat Kasiwat, 25, a protester near Bangkok's Metropolitan Police Bureau on Sunday afternoon. "Today is V-Day. We expect to take over every government department."
Panich Viikitsreth, a former member of Parliament with the Democrat Party, was with a crowd of a few hundred outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We're asking them to open the door peacefully," he said.
The opposition claims the government is deeply corrupt and still under the control of Yingluck's brother Thaksin Shinawatra, the deposed former prime minister who has lived in Dubai since being convicted on criminal corruption charges in 2008.
