Anti-Government Protesters March On Streets, Traffic In Bangkok Paralysed

BANGKOK, December 22 (TNA) - Traffic in the Thai capital became paralysed early Sunday after anti-government protesters marched on streets, aimed at pressuring caretaker prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her cabinet resign enmasse without preconditions. Core leaders and supporters of People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), led by secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban, walked from their major gathering base on Ratchadamnoen Avenue to the Thon Buri side which is across the Chao Phraya River. They later paid respects to the statue of the late King Thaksin the Great and urged people to join the protest. Mr. Suthep, a former deputy prime minister, and the protesters plan to join with another group of protesters on Silom Road, known as Thailand’s Wall Street, later today. Another group of protesters comprising only women and transvestites travelled on trucks from the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and arrived at Miss Yingluck residence on Bangkok suburbs and urged her to step down. A large number of policemen have been positioned at her residence and nearby areas for weeks to provide security. Miss Yingluck is not at her home as she is visiting people and inspecting government-sponsored projects in the Northeast. Traffic in Bangkok has become paralysed after policemen have closed several roads including around the Victory Monument, from Din Daeng to Victory Monument, around Ratchadamri Road, and Phra Pin Klao Bridge. The closure is to facilitate motorists while the protesters marched on streets in the capital. Anti-government protesters who have split and marched on several roads will later in the day assemble on Ratchadamnoen Avenue. (TNA)