Anti-'Thaksin regime' protest at CW

Anti-'Thaksin regime' protest at CW

A group of people wearing Guy Fawkes masks gathered outside CentralWorld shopping mall on Sunday afternoon to protest against the "Thaksin regime", reports said.

According to V For Thailand Facebook page, many protesters held signs criticising fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the government.

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The Guy Fawkes mask has become a popular symbol of protest, usually worn by anti-government, anti-censorship and anti-multi-national corporation groups worldwide.

In Thailand, the mask campaign recently started when Facebook users changed their profile pictures to the visage of Guy Fawkes and posted negative comments on pages associated with the ruling Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin and his son Panthongtae.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, also leader of the opposition, said he was concerned about the mask campaign.

"The best thing for the government is to avoid every issue that causes more conflicts," Mr Abhisit said. "The government should solve people's problems to reduce the conflicts and prevent confrontations and violence from happening."

The former prime minister urged all sides to abide by the law.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said the mask rally was a way for people to express their political views but the protesters should not "distort the truth that would re-ignite a new wave of conflict".

"Pheu Thai will have to protect its rights by taking legal action against those who distort the truth," Mr Prompong said.

Suriyasai Katasila, coordinator of the Green Politics group, said the political conflicts in the social media are thickening.

Opposing sides are now on the streets to gain supporters but it is not worrying because each side has its own territory, Mr Suriyasai said.

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