Word: abhisit
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Dates: during 2010-2019
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...Thai government exploded on April 10, when more than 20 civilians and soldiers were killed (and at least 800 wounded) in the worst political violence the country has seen in almost 20 years. The Red Shirts continue to press for the dissolution of the government led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. On April 12, Thailand's election commission cited the misuse of campaign donations in its call for the ruling party to be disbanded...
...protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva step down and call a new election. They are mainly supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a bloodless coup in 2006 and now lives abroad rather than serve a prison term for a corruption conviction. After protesters invaded the parliament building on Wednesday, Abhsiit declared a state of emergency and issued arrest warrants for 27 protest leaders. The order bans public gatherings and under its provisions the government shut down a television station run by protest leaders which the government claimed was broadcasting distortions. (See pictures...
...however, several thousand protesters overran the broadcasting terminal for the station, forcing police and soldiers to essentially surrender and agree to let the station broadcast. After protesters withdrew, the soldiers later retook the station and shut down the broadcasts again. But the security forces had been embarrassed. Prime Minister Abhisit made a television address that evening, admitting that his supporters had been disheartened by the day's events. But, he said, "The government cannot be discouraged. With righteousness, we will...
...Another irony is that Abhisit's Democrats have traditionally been the party to most strongly advocate having a professional military uninvolved in politics. But their interests have converged in an anti-Thaksin alliance as the ousted leader continues his involvement in politics while in exile, allegedly funding the current protests. The army appears to need Abhisit to stay in power: army chief General Anupong Paochinda is slated to retire in October, and his anointed successor, General Prayuth Chan-ocha, is known to be unsympathetic to Thaksin. Should Abhisit be forced from office by Red Shirt protests and Thaksin's allies...
...Despite this convergence of interests, the army's support for Abhisit's emergency decree does not appear certain. A day after the decree was issued, the military had yet to take action. Perhaps the military fears another May 1992, in which by cracking down on protesters, it will become the villain. Perhaps new deals are being struck. Or maybe the high command is still preparing its plans for clearing the streets. The next few days may tell. But when Abhisit appeared on national television to announce emergency rule, he was flanked by politicians - and noticeably no generals...