Thai government supporters gather to "defend democracy"

  • 10 years ago
ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION)

STORY: Supporters of Thailand's beleaguered government gathered on Saturday (May 10) on the outskirts of Bangkok saying they were determined to safeguard democracy and avert a coup as anti-government protesters, based at a central park, planned their "final push".

Thailand's polarized politicians have been unable to forge a compromise over a nearly decade-long split between the royalist establishment and a populist former telecommunications tycoon, whose sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was ousted as prime minister on Wednesday (May 7).

Her sacking followed six months of anti-government protests that have unnerved investors, frightened away tourists and dented growth in Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.

One leader of United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) told a crowd of redshirts that an election was needed soon.

Tens of thousands of loyalists of Yingluck and her brother, former prime minister Thaksin Sh