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Sunday, 26 March 2006, 10:04 GMT 11:04 UK

Renewed effort to oust Thai PM

By Kylie Morris
BBC News, Bangkok

Thai protesters Tens of thousands of Thai protesters have marched through Bangkok's central shopping district, one week ahead of a snap election.

Organisers say it is their final push to try to force Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power before the poll.

His critics accuse him of corruption and abusing power, which he denies.

Pressure has been building on Mr Thaksin since the sale in January of his family's controlling share of a huge telecoms company for $1.9bn.

Carnival atmosphere

His only comment a week before the poll was a plea to protestors to respect the results of the elections. Otherwise, he warned, the country could become a nightmare.

Mr Thaksin meets supporters in Udonthani province

On Sunday, it was more of a parade, with hordes of protestors sweeping down the city's main shopping street, drawing crowds of bemused tourists and sparking short tempers among some motorists.

They shouted 'Thaksin get out' - the catchphrase of the demonstrations which have become a weekly fixture in the capital.

Overnight, a large crowd convened near Government House to hear protest leaders call for a royal intervention by the King and for the appointment of an interim prime minister.

But that seems unlikely. Observers say the fact the King's chief advisor cast an advance vote is a sign the time is not right for a royally appointed prime minister.

With only one week to go, it is impossible to predict what the elections might bring.

Mr Thaksin says he only wants the people's vote to be respected.

But the protestors are unlikely to respect a result that returns him to power. The poll risks only worsening the crisis.




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Related to this story:
Thai protesters rally against PM (25 Mar 06 |  Asia-Pacific )
Anti-Thaksin rally takes to the streets (14 Mar 06 |  Asia-Pacific )
Rallies keep pressure on Thai PM (07 Mar 06 |  Asia-Pacific )
In pictures: Thailand rally (03 Mar 06 |  In Pictures )
Thai PM defiant as crisis mounts (01 Mar 06 |  Asia-Pacific )
Thai PM gambles on surprise poll (25 Feb 06 |  Asia-Pacific )
Thai leader considers referendum (11 Feb 06 |  Asia-Pacific )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Royal Thai government
Shin Corporation
Thai Rak Thai (in Thai)
Democrat Party (in Thai)
Thai Election Commission
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