Protesters Demand Prime Minister Resign

Thousands of people rallied in the streets of Bangkok for a second day Tuesday, furious at their government’s infighting and vacillation in the face of a severe economic crisis.

Farmers and factory workers in sandals, bankers and stock brokers in neckties - people from both sides of Thailand’s sharp economic divide mingled in the hot sun to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

Inside the Parliament building, within earshot of the demonstration, the prime minister struggled with his Cabinet to try to work out a promised government shuffle that has been delayed for more than two weeks. The impasse within Chavalit’s fragile coalition has diverted the government from the hard decisions it must make to meet the requirements imposed by the International Monetary Fund when it agreed to a $17 billion bailout six weeks ago.