Tens of thousands of protesters defied orders to leave the Thai capital's main shopping district today despite threats of mass arrests, upping the ante on the fourth week of a bold street rally to press for fresh elections.
The government said the red-shirted protesters who overran a district housing sleek upmarket department stores and five-star hotels yesterday could each face up to a year in jail and a 20,000 baht (€458) fine if they don't leave.
The gathering was in clear violation of a tough Internal Security Act imposed last month, said the Center for Administration of Peace and Order, a special government body set up to keep security during the protests.
"The blockade of roads around the intersection is an exercise of public rights beyond what the constitution provides," prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said after talks between authorities and the protesters yielded nothing substantive.
The more than 50,000 protesters also ignored a deadline at 9 pm (local time) yesterday to leave the area where Central World, the second-largest shopping complex in Southeast Asia, and half a dozen other big malls and retailers shut their doors in response to threats by the protesters to stay for days.
The mostly rural and working-class demonstrators have said they will not leave until Abhisit's government dissolves parliament and calls elections.
Protest leader Veera Musikapong told Reuters his "red shirts" would remain until at least Monday. "We have no choice but to step up civil disobedience until the government listens," he said.
"This area is a symbol of Bangkok elite. We want to show them they cannot rule without consensus of the people."
Reuters