Anti-government protesters returned to the streets of Bangkok on Monday, calling for renewed efforts to bring down the caretaker government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) head Suthep Thaugsuban, who has led a series of mass demonstrations since November, including the occupation of some of the city’s main intersections, led the march from the group’s main rally site in a park in central Bangkok.
Only about 3,000 turned up for the march, including more than 1,000 private security guards, according to local media reports.
Mr. Suthep said the march was a warm-up for a rally planned for March 29.
Security officials have expressed fears of possible clashes between the anti-government demonstrators and “Red Shirt” activists who support the Yingluck government.
Over 20 people have died and more than 700 have been injured in protest-related violence since November.
Jatuporn Prompan, chairman of the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, has called on supporters to mobilize for demonstrations on April 5.
He urged government supporters to wear black clothing instead of their usual red to protest a Constitutional Court ruling last week annulling a February 2 general election that Ms. Yingluck’s party was expected to win.
Mr. Suthep, a former Deputy Prime Minister, has vowed to oppose any election until reforms are instituted to end what he sees as the corrupt influence of Ms. Yingluck’s elder brother, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
