Pro-government groups have taken to the streets across Thailand amid a planned shutdown of the capital, Bangkok, by anti-government protesters.

Supporters of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra took to the streets in three provinces on Sunday, though they stayed clear of Bangkok, authorities said.

Proponents of the government said they plan to hold demonstrations in 50 provinces on Monday, ahead of a major anti-government demonstration to shut down the capital city.

Thai opposition leader Suthep Thaugsuban has rejected any compromise with the government, but he has said he would call off the planned move if civil war looms.

Eight people, including a policeman, have lost their lives and hundreds wounded in street violence in Thailand over the past few weeks.

Thailand has been grappling with a political crisis that has led to dissolution of the parliament amid mass protests to oust the government of Shinawatra. The demonstrators are seeking to end what they call the influence of the prime minister’s brother, former Premier Thaksin, on Thai politics.

Protests started in Thailand on October 31, 2013 after the government proposed an amnesty bill that could have pardoned Thaksin, setting the scene for his return to Thailand.

The former prime minister was ousted in a military coup in 2006. He has been in self-exile since 2008 to avoid a two-year prison sentence over corruption.

By Press TV

 

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