BANGKOK, February 3. /ITAR-TASS/. Participants of the antigovernment protests in Thailand are realigning their positions in Bangkok on Monday, anticipating that authorities may make an attempt to disperse the many-day long rally.
One of the protesters’ leaders Suthep Thaugsuban said that the oppositionists on Monday would leave their positions on the square near the Victory monument downtown, as well as on Lat Phrao Street in the capital’s north. From these sites, they would move to Lumpini Park in the business district, not far from the Russian embassy. Thaugsuban also proposed to his supporters to leave the territory near Chaengwattana parliament buildings, the liberation of which, as announced by the police, will be main priority of the authorities. However, protesters that settled here led by a Buddhist monk did not take any final decision on the realignment.
According to Suthep Thaugsuban, stopping rallies remains out of the question, and the realignment of opposition forces is connected to the willingness to tighten security measures, protecting protesters from regular night shooting by unknown persons. Observers believe the protesters that faced with lack of people ready to stay at rally sites 24/7, are just trying to strengthen their positions in case authorities would really disperse them.
The governmental center for keeping peace and public order reported earlier that February 3 a special operation would be carried out to recover control over governmental facilities that were clocked by protesters in the capital. The authorities also pledged to arrest Suthep Thaugsuban immediately after parliamentary elections.
February 2, in 68 out of 77 provinces of Thailand took place elections to the National assembly (parliament) of the country. For some reason or another, with regard to opposition’s rallies, 11% of the ballot stations were closed. The elections’ results were not announced as yet, which does not allow the parliament to gather for the next session and elect a new government. To remedy the situation, Thai authorities intend to carry out an additional voting for those who had not the possibility to cast a ballot. Meanwhile, oppositionists are collecting materials to file a suit on cancelling the vote’s results, and continue their rallies on the streets of Bangkok.