Thailand

Protesters block parliament building

Article published on the 2008-12-29 Latest update 2008-12-29 12:04 TU

Supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra protesting outside parliament on 29 December.
(Photo: Reuters)

A speech by Thailand's new Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been delayed after supporters of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra closed entrances to the country's parliament on Monday.

Thousands of protesters outside the Thai parliament forced new premier Abhisit Vejjajiva to delay his first address to the upper and lower houses of parliament.

The protesters, who are loyal to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, said they would close the entrances to the Thai parliament until new elections were called.

Demonstrators copied tactics used by protesters who brought down the previous government, led by Thaksin's ally Somchai Wongsawat, and were also used against Thaksin's own government which was ousted in 2006 by a military coup.

The pro-Thaksin protesters declared they would only let Abhisit walk into the parliament building and would not let a vehicle pass through the crowd, delaying the speech a number of times.

The constitution states that a new government cannot officially start work until the address has been given and it is thought it could now be new year before it can be delivered.

Police said around 9,000 pro-Thaksin supporters descended on parliament overnight following massive demonstrations of at least 20,000 people on Sunday. They object to the appointment of Democrat Party leader Abhisit who won a parliamentary vote two weeks ago.

Abhisit plans to implement an economic stimulus package to guard against the world financial crisis.

In other news in Thailand, five people were killed when suspected rebels were involved in a gun-battle in Narathiwat.

Three soldiers and two civilians died in the Muslim-majority southern province of Thailand.