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         Thai Opposition Protesters Continue Occupying State Buildings

   Anti-government protesters continued Tuesday to occupy key state
   buildings in Bangkok, after the government expanded an emergency
   security law amid fears of unrest.
   On Monday, opposition-led protesters forced their way into parts of the
   finance ministry, foreign ministry and other government buildings in a
   bid to topple the government.
   In response, all parts of the capital and some surrounding areas were
   placed under the expanded Internal Security Act, under which police can
   close roads, impose curfews and carry out searches.
   Witnesses reported an increased police presence in the capital Tuesday,
   but there were no signs of violence. So far, the police have not tried
   to remove the protesters.
   The street protests are the largest in Thailand since 2010, when more
   than 90 people were killed in a military crackdown on an opposition
   protest.
   Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has promised the police will
   exercise restraint.
   "I have insisted that the government will not use violence against the
   people. We`ll proceed according to the international standard."
   But one of the protest leaders, Nitithorn Lamluea, said he does not
   intend to back down.
   "I want our actions in this area to show that we deny this undemocratic
   government. We want to communicate to the democratic governments
   worldwide that they should not accept anything from this government
   because they are a dictatorship."
   The protesters accuse Prime Minister Yingluck of being a puppet for her
   exiled brother, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
   Mass protests were triggered several weeks ago by an amnesty bill that
   would have allowed Thaksin Shinawatra to return home and avoid a
   two-year jail term for corruption.
   The amnesty bill was rejected by the Senate, but opposition-led
   protests have continued. Tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied
   against the government on Sunday.
   Meanwhile, pro-government protesters held their own rally at a Bangkok
   stadium and vowed not to leave until the opposition calls off its
   demonstration.
   The protests have prompted statements from several foreign governments,
   including the United States. The State Department said Monday it is
   "concerned about the rising political tension in Thailand."
   It urged "all sides to refrain from violence, exercise restraint, and
   respect the rule of law" and said "violence and the seizure of public
   or private property are not acceptable means of resolving political
   differences."
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/thai-opposition-protesters-continue-occupying-state-buildings/1797738.html