Red-shirts shut down Bangkok's main shopping district

Posted on Monday, April 5, 2010

Thousands of anti-government protestors in Thailand are continuing to occupy a key commercial district in Bangkok in defiance of a government order.

The demonstration is the latest in a series of rallies by the protestors, known as the red-shirts.

They are calling for the government to step down and hold fresh elections.

The government is now seeking a court order to try to evict the protestors, who say they will not move until their demands are met.

The protestors have moved their main camp from the historic old part of Bangkok to the city's wealthy, commercial heart.

Many spent a second night sleeping on mats outside five-star hotels and shopping centres advertising designer brands.

Businesses are losing a lot of money, which is in part why the government has declared this rally illegal and is now seeking a court order to reinforce that message.

Under special security laws the protestors have also been barred from entering or blocking 11 major routes which run through Bangkok.

But the red-shirts remain defiant. One of the protest organisers told a crowd of supporters that if he or any other red-shirt leader was arrested, others would step up to replace them.

With the anti-government protests now entering a fourth week, the tactics are becoming increasingly bold and provocative.