অ্যাকসেসিবিলিটি লিংক

Thai Leader Makes Late-Night Appeal for Calm


Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has made a late-night television appearance to assure citizens that his government remains in control.

In a midnight address Sunday,Mr. Abhisit urged people to remain calm after deposed leader Thaksin Shinawatra called on his supporters to rise up against the government.

Prime Minister Abhisit appeared on television with his Cabinet ministers and law enforcement authorities.

Earlier Sunday, Mr. Thaksin urged thousands of supporters gathered in the capital, Bangkok, to carry out a people's revolution. Speaking by phone, the exiled government opponent vowed to return to Thailand if authorities attack his supporters.

Mr. Abhisit imposed emergency measures Sunday after demonstrators forced the government to cancel an ASEAN summit and evacuate leaders by helicopter from Pattaya Saturday.

Those measures failed to stop a mob from attacking Mr. Abhisit's car with stones, sticks, poles and potted plants as it tried to leave the Interior Ministry compound Sunday. The prime minister escaped unhurt.

Police say they have arrested protest leader Arisman Pongreungrong.

Despite the heavy presence of troops and tanks throughout Bangkok, demonstrators appear to be facing little resistance from security forces. Some even managed to climbed on top of armored vehicles to wave flags and shout anti-government slogans on Sunday. They want Mr. Abhisit to step down and call new elections.

The unrest is the latest element of a political crisis that began when the military deposed Mr. Thaksin in 2006, accusing him of corruption and abuse of power.

Thailand's current prime minister, Mr. Abhisit, is the third person to hold the post in a year.

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