King calls on Thais to 'work together'

King calls on Thais to 'work together'

BANGKOK- Thai King Bhumibol Adulyadej has urged his countrymen to work together for the good of the nation as it encounters its worst political unrest since 2010.

The King, who turned 86 yesterday, said in his traditional birthday address that Thailand had come so far because its people were united and supported one another.

"All Thais should realise this and perform their duties for the common interest and for the security of Thailand," he said in a five-minute speech that was punctuated with many pauses.

The world's longest-reigning monarch made no direct comment on the ongoing protests that turned violent over the past week. Protesters want to install a royally appointed prime minister to helm political reforms in the country.

The protesters, who aim to cripple the government by occupying various ministries or related offices, scaled down their activities temporarily from Tuesday after the authorities unexpectedly let them through barricades.

The almost month-long campaign, led by former opposition lawmaker Suthep Thaugsuban, is directed against the "Thaksin regime", in reference to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was ousted in 2006, but is seen to control the nation through his sister and premier Yingluck.

The protesters call themselves the People's Democratic Reform Committee, and are supported by many from the elite, royalists, urban middle class and opposition Democrats.

But critics say the anti-corruption and anti-nepotism drive is a mere attempt to ride roughshod over the will of the electorate, which has repeatedly returned Thaksin-backed parties to power over the past decade.

Although largely peaceful, the protests turned violent over the past week, with at least five people killed and more than 200 injured in protest-related incidents.

Yesterday, crowds of well- wishers sporting the royal colour of yellow packed the pavements in the seaside district of Hua Hin, where the King has been residing for the past four months.

Many had travelled from faraway provinces to catch a glimpse of the revered monarch.

King Bhumibol is seen as a stabilising influence in a country that has been rocked by numerous coups and political violence since it became a constitutional monarchy in 1932.

Although he is deemed to be above politics, he has intervened at crucial moments over the years to defuse tension.

While his message did not address the conflict directly this time, "many Thais will find this emotionally reassuring in a time of crisis and uncertainty", said Professor Andrew Walker of the Australian National University. But it will not deter the anti-government campaign, he noted.

Last night, as Ms Yingluck presided over a candle-lighting ceremony to honour the King in Bangkok's historic district, protesters held their own at three rally sites in the capital, including the Finance Ministry and multi-agency Government Complex, which they have occupied since last week.

Protest spokesman Akanat Promphan said: "We will take a temporary break and join people's celebration."

But he added that the fight will go on, indicating that more protests can be expected in the coming days.

He said: "We want everything to end before the new year. Instead of just surrounding the Government House, we may surround more buildings, maybe four to five at the same time."


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