Published on January 14, 2006

Media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul backed by 4,000 supporters outside Government House last night called for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra to step down.

After his “Thailand Weekly” campaign in Lumpini Park ended yesterday evening, Sondhi, accompanied by former Senator Prathin Santiprapob, Senator Chirmsak Pinthong and former corruption-buster Klanarong Chantik, led a march towards Government House.

As the group moved along Rama IV Road, participants took turns attacking the government from a mobile stage in front of the procession. Followers shouted “Awk pai!” (“Get out!”) repeatedly and loudly in reference to Thaksin. They also wanted political reforms to follow his departure.

Earlier on a scuffle briefly interrupted Sondhi’s show at Lumpini Park when protesters tried to break into the audience area. At 4pm a group of 200 people wearing yellow headbands started pushing against a barricade.

“Thailand Weekly” programme staff played the royal anthem, causing both sides to stand at attention.

But after the song ended, the anti-Sondhi force tried to break through again.

The opponents’ leader, directing their movements from a vehicle, said through a loudspeaker that they wanted to set up a stage to dispute any allegations made by Sondhi against the prime minister.

They failed to break through, so they turned to attack the listeners by throwing water bottles at them.

Police moved in quickly to restore order. – The Nation

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