Thousands of anti-government protesters headed across the Chao Phraya river to the western part of Bangkok on Thursday, to drum up support for a campaign to shut down the Thai capital next week.
The march was headed by Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), which has been staging massive protests since early November in a bid to force the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to resign.
Ms. Yingluck last month dissolved parliament and called a general election for February 2, but this has not ended the protests.
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The protesters want to see a Senate-appointed prime minister and interim government that would push through political reforms before the next polls are held.
Mr. Suthep is set to launch a “Bangkok shutdown” demonstration on Monday, threatening to occupy at least seven intersections in the capital.
The PDRC also held marches on Sunday and Tuesday to encourage Bangkok residents to join their campaign and to gather donations.
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Thursday’s march follows an 11-kilometre route that would eventually take the protesters back to their headquarters at the city’s Democracy Monument.