BANGKOK, March 25: Some 100,000 protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday to urge Thailand’s widely-respected king to appoint a new premier and break a political deadlock before elections next month.
Thai media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul read out the appeal, which a crowd gathered in the street leading to the compound that houses Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s office chanted back by candlelight.
“This crisis has come to a deadlock that could seriously impact the economy. All of us here see no any other solution without loss of life,” Mr Sondhi said.
“We are seeking your kind consideration to exercise constitutional Article 7 to appoint an interim prime minister and government, to pave the way for political reform with greater public participation,” he said.
Police at the scene estimated the crowd at 100,000 people, making it the biggest protest since anti-Thaksin crowds first took to the streets in early February.
After reciting their appeal to King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the crowd sang anthems in his honour and waved Thai flags.
Fears of violence have swirled since early February, when protesters first took to the streets to demand Thaksin’s resignation over alleged corruption and abuse of power.
Security forces Saturday again prepared for the worst with 10,000 police mobilised for the protest and another 10,000 on standby.
The police were armed only with batons and shields, and no violence has broken out at any of the protests so far.
Just a few blocks from the rally, some 30,000 Buddhist monks in saffron robes led tens of thousands of devotees in chanting prayers for peace and national unity near the Grand Palace.
The candlelight vigil, presided over by one of the country’s most respected monks, took place in a royal field that has been the scene of most of the political rallies since Thailand’s political crisis began two months ago.
“Our country, as well as most Thais who are Buddhist are suffering from the current political conflict. So we invited Buddhist monks to chant for the suffering to subside and to create peace,” said Chainaj Yatchimplee, chairman of the Network of Buddhist Associations of Thailand.
Appeals to King Bhumibol Adulyadej have grown in the last week, as Thailand nears April 2 elections that have been boycotted by the opposition and already marred by claims of fraud.
The leading opposition Democrat Party made a similar appeal at their own rally Friday night.
The king has yet to give any indication that he is willing to step into the crisis. In the past, he has only intervened in politics in times of bloodshed.—AFP
