Continued protests prompt security boost in Thai capital

BANGKOK, Thailand – Army reinforcements were rushed into Thailand’s capital as tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators marshaled around a key military headquarters demanding that the government dissolve Parliament by midday today.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the key target of the massive demonstration, said he could not meet the protesters’ demands but left room for compromise.

Some 100,000 Red Shirt protesters have been camped out along a boulevard in the old part of Bangkok. A force of more than 50,000 security personnel has been mobilized in the capital area, and many were deployed at the regimental headquarters where Abhisit has been hunkered down in recent days.

But INN television reported that he was flown out of the compound by helicopter this morning.

The protesters, formally grouped as the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, have been flexible in their tactics and deadlines, but are demanding Abhisit dissolve Parliament and call new elections.