Bangkok: Thailand`s "Red Shirts" hinted Wednesday
that they could soon end weeks of anti-government protests,
but were demanding a firm date for the dissolution of
parliament before tearing down their barricades.
Despite signs the crisis could be nearing a resolution,
thousands of protesters remained camped out in Bangkok`s main
shopping district behind piles of tyres, razor wire and bamboo
stakes.
The red-clad demonstrators, whose eight-week campaign has
sparked deadly outbreaks of civil unrest that have left 27
people dead, agreed yesterday to join Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva`s proposed reconciliation process.
The mainly poor and working class Reds now want Abhisit
to clarify when he will dissolve parliament for elections
promised for November, and to withdraw troops from the capital
which is under a state of emergency.
But Reds leader Veera Musikapong voiced optimism that the
end was in sight for supporters who have spent weeks sleeping
rough under flimsy shelters, and who are now enduring the
start of the rainy season.
"I have a feeling that we will soon return to our
hometown as our goal to fight for true democracy and return
power to the people is about to be achieved," Veera told the
crowd.
"We have been together for some 50 days, I really feel
that we may soon return home," he said.
PTI
