Thailand’s Red-Shirted Protesters Change Colors To Avoid Arrest
(RFE/RL) — Thailand’s red-shirted protesters started dressing in different colors today to avoid being arrested, as the government tried new measures to stop the protests from growing.
The red-shirted supporters of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have occupied Bangkok’s main shopping area of Ratchaprasong for three weeks. They are seeking to pressure the government to dissolve the parliament immediately and call snap elections, but Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has rejected their demands.
Korkaew Pikulthong, one of the red-shirt leaders, today said that they are determined to continue the protest, but are changing tactics. “We asked our supporters to change the color of their t-shirts to any other color so they can avoid being arrested so they are able to join our rallies,” Korkaew said.
In a prerecorded television appearance on April 24, Prime Minister Abhisit said the protester’s peace overture looked “insincere,” and rejected their demand to hold elections in a month. He vowed to force out thousands of protesters occupying from their base in the central shopping area.
