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Tens of thousands gather for Thailand opposition rally

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have gathered in Thailand's capital Bangkok to press the government to step down and hold new elections.

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters have gathered in Thailand's capital Bangkok to press the government to step down and hold new elections.

About 40,000 soldiers and police are on the streets in case of trouble.

The "red shirt" demonstrators are mainly supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a military coup in 2006.

Many of the protesters have come to the capital from Mr Thaksin's power base in the rural north of Thailand.

They have been making their way to Bangkok since Friday.

The protest leaders have promised a peaceful demonstration but said that if the government refuses to quit they will step up their campaign.

The protesters say Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came to power illegitimately with the backing of the military and the Bangkok-based elites.

Riot police and soldiers have been deployed outside government offices and the military has been given extra powers to impose curfews and restrict numbers at gatherings if necessary.

Source: BBC
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