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Protesters surround Thai PM’s office - again, as stimulus cheques are handed out

Article published on the 2009-03-26 Latest update 2009-03-26 15:47 TU

Anti-government demonstrators begin their march to Government House in Bangkok, 26 March 2009(Photo: Reuters)

Anti-government demonstrators begin their march to Government House in Bangkok, 26 March 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters surrounded the office of Thailand’s Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Thursday, the latest action in an ongoing campaign to topple his government. Thursday the government also started handing out gift cheques to over ten million low wage workers, part of the country’s efforts to stimulate the economy.

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Thirty thousand demonstrators from all over Thailand gathered in the capital, according to police, for the largest protest since the government came into power in December.

Wearing red, protesters loyal to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra marched to Government House, demanding that Abhisit call snap elections.

But Sarinee Achavanuntakul, a professor at Thammasat Univesity in Bangkok, told RFI that the government's popularity is hurting beceause of the economic situation. It realises it would lose a snap election and is too clever to call for one now, she says.

Analysis: Sarinee Achavanuntakul, Thammasat Univesity in Bangkok

 
 

26/03/2009 by Salil Sarkar

Abhisit survived a no-confidence vote Saturday which the opposition called against him and his cabinet. After two days of debate, Abhisit won 246 to 176.

Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya won with a smaller margin, 237 to 184. He has been criticised for his ties with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which paralysed the country last year with protests and taking over the airports.

“The 246 is more than I expected, because as we know, the MPs can vote freely,” said Abhisit. He said there were no plans to reshuffle his cabinet.

Thursday the government began to hand out 2,000 baht (41.5 euro) gift cheques to over 10 million low income wage earners as part of the country’s 117-billion baht (2.4 billion euro) economic stimulus package.

“The government does not want people to spend the 2,000 baht on luxurious things, but to remedy hardships that have resulted from declining incomes and growing expenses,” said Abhisit, as he handed out the first of the coupons.

Critics say the handout is akin to vote buying.

About 10.5 million of the country’s 63 million people are to receive the cheques, according to the Bangkok Bank, which is issuing them. To be eligible, people need to earn 15,000 baht (311.5 euros) or less and be registered for social security.