Red Shirts demand prisoner release
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Thousands of Thai anti-government activists have gathered in Bangkok to demand the release of protesters detained for their role in crippling demonstrations and bloody clashes with the military.
Groups of Red Shirts marched from the Ratchaprasong intersection to Democracy Monument, sites where a combined 91 people were killed and almost 2,000 wounded in April and May clashes and rioting that marked the country's worst political violence in modern history.
It was their second biggest gathering since September 19, when at least 10,000 massed and was a sign of a revival of a powerful movement that could hamper efforts to bring an end to a paralysing five-year political crisis in South East Asia's second-largest economy.
The gatherings took place in several sites amid a state of emergency that has allowed the detention of an estimated 175 people for their role in the crippling protests, clashes and rioting. Among those detained are about 20 Red Shirt leaders.
The show of defiance and concerns about a regrouping of the Red Shirts is one of the biggest political risks facing investors, who continue to tap into Thailand's financial markets, with foreign inflows pushing the baht currency to a 13-year high.
Sunday's rallies took place without violence and appeared to have no clear leadership, with no stage or megaphones, which are banned under the security laws.
Riot police surrounded the site in Bangkok's old quarter as the crowd swelled to at least 7,000 people, according to a police estimate.
Protesters distributed pictures and VCDs of the deadly clashes with troops and hung red ribbons on trees. They planned to light 20,000 candles in memory of those who died during the 10-week Bangkok demonstrations.
- Reuters
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