BANGKOK
Four days ahead of a crucial national election, tens of thousands of flag-wielding anti-government demonstrators marched through the Thai capital on Thursday in a show of force.
Protesters transformed Bangkok's longest road into a walking street as they shouted “down with Yingluck’s government” and encouraged bystanders to boycott February 2 polls.
A group calling itself the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has taken to the streets to demand the resignation of 'Yingluck' - Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra - who they accuse of massive corruption.
On Sunday, they blocked polling stations across Bangkok, leaving Thai democracy in turmoil.
One of Thursday's protesters, however, told The Anadolu Agency that they will not prevent people from exercising their voting right this Sunday.
“We don’t want to prevent other people from voting. We respect their vote," said Peeteenut Tiwong, a university teacher as he walked alongside thousands of others on Sukhumvit road. "But, we also have the right to decide not to vote.”
Speaking on a stage set up in downtown Bangkok, the leader of the anti-government campaign - former opposition MP Suthep Thaugsuban - said he wanted to “completely shut down” Bangkok from today until election day.
Thaugsuban also vowed not to block the polls, apparently giving up on the tactic adopted with such success last Sunday.
“Those who want to vote and become a servant of the Thaksin regime should just do it (vote), but we won’t,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - the elder brother of the current head of government, Yingluck - was overthrown in a coup in 2006, and has lived in exile since his conviction for abuse of power.
Most demonstrators were keen on emphasizing that they don’t oppose democracy, but the current electoral system opens the door for massive vote-buying.
“Democracy is not only election. Elections is just the starting point," said retired private sector employee Passorn Sawad. "Many people are happy to receive money in exchange for their vote. For them, money is the real thing.”
Even if all the polling stations are not blocked next Sunday, the government is facing serious logistic challenges in its efforts for a smooth election.
In the country's south - the heartland of the opposition Democrat Party - three provincial centres holding ballots for 14 provinces have been surrounded by anti-government demonstrators and are unable to dispatch ballots.
It may also be some time before results are known.
According to Thai news sources, Somchai Srisuyathiyakorn, a member of the election commission, said they will be unable to announce the results after voting closes because of the large numbers of people who could not vote during last weekend's advance ballot.
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