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 Q: What are the protests in Thailand's capital about?
A: The protesters in Bangkok oppose former Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006 after being
accused of corruption and disrespect for the country's
constitutional monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej. They consider
current Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister, to be
his proxy while he remains in self-imposed exile to avoid serving a
two-year jail term for corruption. There have been several rounds of
protests and clashes involving Thaksin opponents and supporters
since the coup, but the current unrest is Yingluck's most serious
challenge since she took office in 2011.
Q: What do the protesters want?
A: They want to topple Yingluck and her ruling Pheu Thai Party, but
protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said that won't be enough.
"The condition (set) from the people all over the country is that we
will establish a government of the people and change the rules of
the country to benefit true democracy with the King as the head of
state," Suthep said Monday. "You will learn how later."
His statement suggests that the protesters want a change in the
political system similar to that promoted in 2008 by the
anti-Thaksin Yellow Shirts — the People's Alliance for Democracy.
They sought to have fewer lawmakers directly elected and more
appointed by the country's political elite.
Q: What are the protesters' tactics?
A: After some large demonstrations, the protesters, closely linked
to the opposition Democrat Party, have taken over several government
offices this week. The tactic is similar to those used in past
protests in which Thaksin foes took over the prime minister's office
and even Bangkok's two airports.
The tactics pose a challenge to authorities who risk losing face and
the control of the situation by allowing offices to be occupied, but
risk alienating public opinion if they use force to dislodge the
protesters. Police have made a massive show of force around critical
would-be targets, but protesters have entered more poorly guarded
offices.
The Democrats, meanwhile, are leading a no-confidence debate in
parliament this week and are petitioning the courts and independent
state agencies to have ruling party lawmakers ousted for alleged
violations of the law.
Some elements probably hope that the situation becomes chaotic
enough to serve as an excuse for the army to intervene, as happened
in 2006.
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Q: Is it safe to visit Thailand?
A: Popular resort areas have not been affected. Visitors should
avoid protest areas. The Thai Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that 23
countries, most of them European, have issued travel warnings or
notices about the political situation.
Q: What are the protesters' complaints?
A: They accuse Yingluck's government of corruption and abuse the
power.
Yingluck and her Pheu Thai Party won an absolute majority in the
2011 election, and have used their position to railroad several
measures through parliament, shortcutting ethical and legal
procedures.
Corruption has been a problem under every Thai government. Thaksin,
a billionaire who owned a telecommunications empire, was ensnared in
several conflict of interest accusations. Criticism of Yingluck has
focused less on personal corruption and more on her policies,
including her support of a broad amnesty bill that would have
allowed Thaksin to return to Thailand without serving jail time.
Q: What's behind the long-running political conflict?
A: Thaksin remains popular in Thailand's less well-off rural areas,
where voters were grateful for populist programs he instituted, such
as virtually free health care. Pro-Thaksin parties easily won the
two general elections held since the 2006 coup. But his opponents
still have influence, particularly in the courts and the military.
Thaksin's supporters claim that Thailand's traditional ruling elite
oppose him because they risk losing influence to a popularly elected
leader. Thaksin's foes have suggested that the democratic system is
flawed and that the elite should have a greater say in administering
the country. They are uneasy at what will happen when 85-year-old
King Bhumibol leaves the scene.
[Associated
Press]
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