Pro-Thaksin protesters demand snap election

Several thousand protesters allied with exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra marched toward Thailand’s seat of government today, demanding a dissolution of Parliament and the holding of snap elections.

Protest leader Jakrapob Penakir said the demonstrators would camp out around Government House for at least two days to press their demands but would not force their way into the compound.

Mr Jakrapob said the protest was also being staged to show Thailand’s Southeast Asian neighbours that the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had no right to rule.

Leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations are to begin their annual summit this Thursday at a beach resort near Bangkok.

Mr Abhisit was appointed prime minister in December after a court order that ousted Mr Thaksin’s allies.