Tens of thousands of anti-government "Red Shirts" protested in Bangkok Saturday in a major show of strength to mark a year since the start of a mass rally in the capital that turned deadly. Thailand's rival political factions are gearing up for elections expected by July, in a country still deeply divided following the worst civil violence in decades last year which left about 90 people dead, mostly civilians.
Police estimated that about 35,000 red-shirted supporters joined Saturday's gathering, which was addressed by their hero, fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. "When you are ready for me to come back and serve you, I'll be ready," Thaksin told the crowd by video link from an undisclosed location overseas. "Please help the Puea Thai (opposition party) win a landslide victory and then I'll solve problems and fix the economy and bring prosperity in six months," he said.
Thaksin, a former billionaire telecoms tycoon, is hailed by the Reds for his policies for the poor while in power, but seen by the Thai ruling elite as authoritarian, corrupt and a threat to the revered monarchy, He faces terrorism charges in Thailand, accused of bankrolling last year's anti-government protests and of instigating unrest. Saturday's gathering near Bangkok's Democracy Monument was one of the largest since May 2010, when troops firing live rounds and backed by armoured vehicles moved in to end a two-month-long demonstration by the Reds.
But it was well short of the 100,000 people who joined last year's protests at their peak. That rally triggered a series of bloody street clashes between armed troops and protesters in the heart of Bangkok in April and May of last year. After the crackdown, dozens of buildings were set ablaze across Bangkok, including a major shopping complex and the stock exchange.
"Many people I knew died last year so I want to call for justice. I hope this government goes," said Prapai Wichianchod, a 72-year-old retiree from northern Kampaengpetch province. Demonstrators at Saturday's rally wore T-shirts saying "Reds never die" and waved placards with slogans including "No Justice, no unity".