Protesters in Bangkok provoked closure of ministries, evacuation of Thai ‘FBI’ In Thailand, thousands of protesters have caused the closure of multiple government ministries and sworn to seize government offices across the country, in attempt to oust the embattled Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from power. On Wednesday, thousands of protesters had amassed at least 6 of the 19 government ministries, although many had left by late afternoon. The protesters managed to shut down five ministries in the past two days. About a thousand demonstrators loyal to protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban entered a large government office complex located in northern Bangkok, which houses the Department of Special Investigations (DSI), often compared to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States. “We have ordered the evacuation of the DSI building, said Tharit Pengdit to Reuters. All our employees will be out within half an hour. The DSI was targeted by demonstrators after the agency indicted Suthep, a one-time deputy Prime Minister for the opposition Democrat Party. Suthep was implicated for his alleged role in causing the casualities of more than 90 people in a 2010 military crackdown focused the ‘red-shirt’ protesters loyal to previously ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra – the brother of the current leader. The DSI complex along with several other government departments in northern Bangkok, including those handling taxes, immigration and land, as well as Thailand’s Supreme Court, were surrounded by almost 4,000 protesters. Police reported approximately 3,000 people gathered at the Energy Ministry, 700 at the Commerce Ministry and another 200 at the Industry Ministry. Around 1,000 protesters also occupied the Finance Ministry. A minimum of six provincial halls in the south were also occupied on Wednesday, with protesters vowing to stay until receiving orders from Suthep. However, the demonstrators did not enter the provincial office buildings or cause any property damage. Thai govt urges opposition to negotiate end of blockade The government of Thailand is ready to come to the negotiating table with the oppositionists and urges them to lift the blockade of state agencies buildings. The countrys Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra stated this on Wednesday. We are ready to start the dialogue with the protesters groups in order to overcome the crisis in the country, Yingluck Shinawatra said. She is conducting an emergency meeting of the government that is discussing the issue of how the cabinet can implement its duties amid the blockade. Employees of the Department of Special Investigations of Thailand on Wednesday were evacuated from the departments building in Bangkok after the opposition surrounded it. Several thousand protesters also threw a cordon around adjacent buildings of Ministries of Industry, Trade and Labor. The main wave of protests has moved from the historic center of Bangkok to the neighborhood called Chaengwattana where is located the government institutions complex. In Thailand, a number of ministries that are blocked from the beginning of the week because of the oppositions protests, forced to look for temporary offices for their employees to continue working. As the Minister of Transport Chadchart Sitthipant said on Wednesday, key employees of his department will continue to work away from their usual working environment. According to the minister, the specialists are monitoring the situation in all means of transport, the work of whichthe demonstrators are also intending to paralyze. The building of the Ministry of Finance of Thailand remains partially captured by the opposition since November 25, but some agencies continue to operate. Interior Ministry officials today do not come to work, because on the eve the demonstrators unblocked the agency on a condition that the ministry would go on a perpetual vacation. The ministry of Internal Affairs in Thailand has no control over the police, and directs the executive authorities. As reported by Thai media, some of the ministries and other state agencies or declared holiday for its employees, or tried to move them to new offices. Hundreds of state employees welcome Thai protesters Hundreds of Thai state employees on Wednesday welcomed protesters marching on ministries in a bid to paralyze the government. Hundreds of employees of the state-owned Telephone Organization of Thailand (TOT) welcomed a motorcycle convoy at the vanguard of the protest on Chaeng Wattana Road by blowing whistles and shaking rattles. To speak frankly, I dont like this government, said one female TOT employee who asked to remain anonymous. There have been a lot of irregular practices under their administration. Read more: voiceofrussia/news/2013_11_27/Protesters-in-Bangkok-provoked-closure-of-ministries-evacuation-of-Thai-FBI-5009/
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 04:31:10 +0000
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