The People's Army Against the Thaksin Regime on Sunday announced it would continue its anti-government rally and stay overnight at Bangkok's Lumpini Park.
The announcement came after leaders of the group read a statement at about 6pm inviting all Thais to join them to "overthrow the Thaksin Regime" in order to bring major reforms to the country. Many Democrat Party supporters were among the crowd.
The group described the government’s alleged failure in administering the country through mismanagement and policies that have proven to have failed and are plagued with corruption, including the rice pledging scheme and the 2-trillion-baht borrowing bill for infrastructure development.
It also accused the Yingluck Shinawatra administration of trying to whitewash the crimes of former prime minister and Ms Yingluck’s brother, Thaksin, and showing no respect for the rule of law.
Reports said the protesters broke a padlock attached to Gate 4 of the park behind the King Rama VI statue to park a sound truck inside and allow people to take a rest.
The People’s Army’s protest coincided with a political rally organised by the opposition Democrat Party at Mathayom Prachaniwet School in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district to oppose the first reading of two amnesty bills in the House on Wednesday. The rally began at 5pm and was continuing late into the night, with party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as the main speaker.
The Democrats demanded the government withdraw all amnesty and reconciliation bills from the House of Representatives before it will agree to participate in Ms Yingluck's political reform efforts.