According to AFP, more than 1,000 protesters this morning began marching from a government building on the northern outskirts of Bangkok to Yingluck’s heavily guarded office, while tens of thousands moved from eight locations
A police officer from the Center for Peace and Order Management, a unit set up to deal with the unrest, said that at 10:30 a.m., an estimated 100,000 people participated in the faction’s decisive demonstration.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban (waving) walks through the crowd marching through the capital’s streets.
Home Affairs Minister Jarupong Ruangsuwan said police would not be armed to fight protesters, only shields and batons.
Protesters held up large portraits of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who celebrated his 86th birthday on December 5.
This momentous occasion has created a temporary pause since December 3 in the conflict between the two factions.
However, today, the yellow shirts claimed to be their decisive day, with the goal of `destroying the Thaksin government`, the former prime minister overthrown in 2006, who is also Ms. Yingluck’s brother.
Leader Suthep announced that if today’s protest fails, he is ready to go to jail.
Protesters held banners with the words `Stop Corruption`.
The large number of protesters brought traffic to a standstill in many Bangkok streets.
Prime Minister Yingluck this morning announced the dissolution of parliament and early elections.
Protesters stand on a truck next to the Government House.
A protester prepares masks, glasses and towels in case the police respond with tear gas.
The crowd pressed against the fence surrounding Government House and held up signs with words protesting against Prime Minister Yingluck and her brother Thaksin.
This young man was waving a flag over the pipes spanning the moat surrounding the building.
Rescue workers treated a protester who fainted from exhaustion.