Tens of thousands of protesters defied orders to leave the Thai capital's main shopping district on Sunday despite threats of mass arrests, upping the ante in the fourth week of street rallies to topple the government.
A day after more than 50,000 red-shirted protesters occupied an intersection of sleek upmarket department stores and five-star hotels, the government warned they could face up to a year in jail and a 20,000 baht ($620) fine each if they stay.
The gathering also violated a tough Internal Security Act imposed last month, said the Center for Administration of Peace and Order, a special government body set up during the protests. "The way the rally is being held is inappropriate and unlawful," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said after failed talks between authorities and the protesters. The protesters ignored two deadlines to leave the area where Central World, the second-largest shopping complex in Southeast Asia, and half a dozen other big malls and retailers shut their doors for a second day in response to the rally.
But there was no sign security forces would disperse the mostly rural and working-class "red shirts", who say they will not leave until Abhisit dissolves parliament and calls elections.
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