The protesters who once threatened to shut down Thailand’s capital say they are significantly scaling back their presence in the streets.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said in his nightly speech on Friday that the protesters would withdraw from several stages erected at key intersections around the city. Starting Monday, they will consolidate at Lumpini Park, a central venue that has become a traditional protest site.
The number of full-time demonstrators has dwindled considerably, to just under 4,000 by the government’s estimate. Deadly attacks recently on protest sites have accelerated calls for negotiations. The protesters are demanding Prime Minster Yingluck Shinawatra resign to make way for an unelected interim government to institute anti-corruption reforms.
