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               Thai Opposition Protesters Renew Effort to Oust PM

   Thai opposition protesters marched through the capital Thursday in a
   renewed effort to oust Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
   The protest of around 2,500 people was smaller than those held before
   Mrs. Yingluck dissolved parliament and called for new elections to help
   defuse the political crisis.
   The opposition says the concessions are not enough. One of the
   protesters, Kaewpha Thalukbamsuk, says she views the current government
   as illegitimate.
   "Even though (Mrs. Yingluck) argued that she was elected by the
   majority, she needs to listen to the voice of the people at the moment.
   You can argue that you were elected, but the election was fraudulent,
   so that results in her not being the right choice."
   The protesters want Mrs. Yingluck to hand power to an unelected
   council. They say she is corrupt and a puppet controlled by her
   brother, ousted ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
   As many as 200,000 people have showed up for some the opposition
   protests, some of which have involved activists occupying government
   ministries and other buildings.
   The rallies began in late October in response to a bill that would have
   allowed Mr. Thaksin to return home from exile and avoid a jail term for
   corruption.
   Thailand has experienced regular political turmoil in recent years. The
   conflict pits Bangkok`s urban middle class and royalist elite against
   the mostly poor, rural supporters of Ms. Yingluck and Mr. Thaksin.
   Last week, Mrs. Yingluck announced that snap elections will be held on
   February 2. But she has refused to step down, insisting the law says
   she must remain as caretaker prime minister.
   Mrs. Yingluck`s Pheu Thai party is expected to easily win the February
   vote, thanks in part to the popularity of her brother, who remains
   popular in part because of social welfare programs he enacted.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-opposition-protesters-renew-effo
   rt-to-oust-pm/1813464.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-opposition-protesters-renew-effort-to-oust-pm/1813464.html