Thai police fired teargas Friday at protesters who called for the nation's Senate to aid their bid to topple the embattled government, two days after the prime minister was stripped of office.
Scenting blood after Wednesday's court decision to remove Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban handed a petition to the upper house urging it to decapitate a government they say has lost all legitimacy, and appoint a new premier.
"We want the president of the upper house and the members of the upper house to think about the way out for the country," said Suthep.
With the government weakened but still standing, the call for an appointed administration appears to lack legal grounds.
Earlier Suthep led thousands of protesters, who had fanned out from their main encampment in a park in the city's commercial district and brought traffic to a standstill in a day of choreographed actions.
Authorities said they briefly used water cannon and tear gas to hold off a hardcore group of anti-government protesters led by a Buddhist monk, who were attempting to enter a fortified police club.
The city's Erawan Emergency Centre said six people were taken to hospital after the incident at the police club.
With protesters back on the streets after a relatively quiet few months, fears are again simmering of street clashes between rival political groups.
The ruling Puea Thai party has replaced Yingluck with Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan and is targeting July 20 elections to end the six-month political crisis, which has left the kingdom without a fully functioning government and chiselled away at the Thai economy.
But the Thai courts have now booted out three prime ministers linked to Yingluck's family, who have swept every poll since 2001.
The Thai army ousted Yingluck's billionaire brother Thaksin from power in a bloodless coup in 2006, sending the country spinning into political turmoil.
Bloodied but still standing
The situation remains highly combustible with pro-government "Red Shirts" due to mass in Bangkok's suburbs on Saturday, as Thailand's political crisis lurches into a dangerous new phase.
Both sides have hardcore armed supporters and Thailand's recent history has been scarred by bouts of political violence.
At least 25 people have been killed and hundreds more left wounded in gun and grenade attacks linked to six months of anti-government protests.
Although buffeted by the Constitutional Court's removal of Yingluck on abuse of power charges on Wednesday, the current Puea Thai administration has staggered on.
But the Red Shirts are outraged at Yingluck's removal from power, accusing the court of acting in cahoots with the street mob to boot out a third premier linked to their hero Thaksin.
"It seems like the same forces are united against the government... The courts and independent agencies and the street are working together," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, associate professor at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Japan's Kyoto University.
On Thursday the government won a legal reprieve as the kingdom's anti-graft panel stepped back from hauling more cabinet members into a separate indictment against Yingluck over a costly rice subsidy scheme.
There were fears the agency could have moved against the remainder of the government to complete a "judicial coup" and create a power vacuum that could have been filled by an appointed leader, as desired by the anti-government protesters.
They broadly come from the Bangkok-based establishment and middle-class, backed by royalist southerners, and revile Thaksin, who they accuse of massive corruption and perceive as a threat to the nation's beloved but ailing king.
They also allege the Shinawatras have drained the kingdom's coffers to sweeten Thaksin's rural electoral base in the poor but populous north and northeast, with populist policies such as the rice subsidy.
Thaksin's rural heartlands have powered his parties into power in every election since 2001, praising him for recognising their growing political and economic aspirations.
They accuse the Bangkok elite of attempting to steal power undemocratically by seeking to install an unelected "people's council" to oversee vaguely-defined reforms.
Thaksin lives overseas to avoid jail for corruption convictions he says were politically motivated.
AFP
Fri May 09 2014
Suthep Thaugsuban issued a rallying cry for Thai protesters to establish a parallel government. -AFP Photo
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.