|
Bangkok: Thousands of protesters gathered in front of Thailand's national police headquarters yesterday to demand action on long-pending legal cases against toppled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The demonstrators, led by the People's Alliance for Democracy, accused police of protecting Thaksin and his loyalists against prosecution by stalling their investigations.
Thaksin was toppled in a bloodless military coup in 2006 with the alliance and other groups accusing him of corruption and abuse of power.
More than 3,000 protesters gathered in front of the police headquarters in downtown Bangkok, near three of the country's most expensive shopping malls.
"I come to police headquarters to ask you why you have been sitting on the cases against Thaksin and his followers. These cases are moving nowhere," Sondhi Limthongkul, a key alliance leader, shouted through a loudspeaker.
"We are here to ask you to do your duty." Of 24 cases against Thaksin and members of his family, only seven have gone to court. The others are still lodged with the police or the attorney general's office.
Thaksin and his wife Pojaman are due to appear in court today to face charges related to the purchase of prime Bangkok real estate during his term.
Protesters block traffic
The alliance and its followers have been on the streets of Bangkok since May 25, vowing not to stop their protests until the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej resigns. Samak is regarded by the alliance as a Thaksin puppet.
The demonstrations have been mostly staged around the seat of government in an area of the city dominated by ministries and offices of international organisations.
On Monday, the protest moved to a downtown business and shopping district, where traffic was brought to a standstill.
|
