Thai protesters to
hold candlelight vigil for King
Thailand's
anti-government protesters said they will hold a candlelight
vigil on Wednesday to honour the revered monarch, who has been
in hospital since September.
Protesters Request
The "Red Shirts," loyal to fugitive former premier,
Thaksin Shinawatra have been demonstrating since March 14,
pushing for early elections to replace a government described as
elitist and undemocratic.
Reds leader Jatuporn Prompan said they will light candles at
20:00 local time to bless the King's good health and to show
their loyalty to the monarchy.
The eighty-two-year-old, who is the world's longest-reigning
monarch, was admitted to hospital on September 19 with a lung
infection and fever.
The protesters are also planning a rally on Saturday which they
say will "shut down" Bangkok and exceed the parade they
mounted in the capital last weekend which drew sixty-five
thousand people.
The Reds have rejected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's offers
of talks with a junior minister, saying they will only speak
with the premier and only to discuss the dissolution of the
lower house.
The Reds said the government is illegitimate as it came to power
with army backing via a parliamentary vote in December 2008
after a court decision ousted Thaksin's allies from power.
AFP/Williams/Qasim
