Thai protestors launch final battle to topple government

Bangkok, May 9: The anti-government protestors Friday marched to various locations in Bangkok in a "final battle" to oust the caretaker government and to usher in reform before the next election.

Processions of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)protestors moved towards five TV stations, the Government House, the parliament complex and the government-run Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), the Bangkok Post reported.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban led one procession to the Government House which has been closed for months, and said he would wait there for new caretaker Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisarn to come for talks.

Police have also fired tear gas at the protestors, the report said.

Thailand's former caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was removed from the premiership Wednesday for abuse of power for unlawful transfer of a senior security official.

Yingluck was further impeached Thursday over her decision-making in a costly rice-pledging scheme.

The anti-graft agency will forward the case to the Senate to seek her impeachment.

If found guilty, Yingluck will be banned from politics for five years.

IANS