Thaksin Demands Fresh Resistance

Thailand's ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra has addressed a big crowd of supporters in Bangkok by telephone, urging them to continue protesting. The crowd cheered as Mr. Thaksin, who lives in exile in Dubai, criticized the policies of the current government. He complained of being lonely and told the crowd not to leave him "dying in the desert", promising to "work for the people" if he could return. Police estimated more than 25,000 were at the rally - the largest since April. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called a state of emergency in April as the rallies by red-shirted protesters threatened to destabilize his government. The protest leaders eventually called off their action after days of rioting and clashes with security forces left at least two people dead and more than 100 injured. Mr. Thaksin told his supporters they had gathered because they wanted to see "true democracy". "We loathe injustice. We loathe double standards. We're here to say if you want us to stop, then return justice and true democracy," he said. To roars of approval, he said the current government was good for three things: "Borrowing, hiking taxes and hounding Thaksin." He also entertained the crowd with songs, and begged them to find a way for him to return to Thailand. "Why do you have to leave me dying in the desert when I can work for our country?" he said. "I'm a grateful person. When I'm back, I'll work for the people right away." (Cont)
Source: BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8122476.stm