Major traffic intersections were blocked-off by anti-government protesters in Bangkok Monday as demonstrators vowed to "shut down" Thailand's capital until Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra steps down, the Associated Press reported.
Peaceful demonstrators blocked all major roads leading into downtown Bangkok, a city of 12 million people, according to the AP. Thai authorities did not stop protesters from blocking the road intersections.
The protesters accuse the government of corruption and have stated they will continue to demonstrate peacefully until Yingluck steps down and is replaced with a "non-elected people's council," the AP reported.
Yingluck had previously promised a re-election set to take place on Feb. 2, an election she would most likely win, but it was denied by the demonstrators who said they would not compromise, according to the AP.
The protests were festive and included waving of the Thai flag and whistle-blowing, the AP reported. Demonstrators laid picnic mats and tents at the blocked crossroads and directed incoming cars back.
Though the protests have been peaceful, at least eight people have died in the past two months and an army coup has not been ruled out by the top army commander, though he has stated he does not "want to be drawn into the conflict," according to the AP.
The underlying point behind the protests is a clash between the urban middle and upper class who oppose Yingluck and her supporters which consist of only the poorer countryside people who support her brother Thaksin and his populus policies, the AP reported.
Thaksin is the protester's "real target," according to the AP. Thaksin was removed from power for corruption and fled to the countryside to hide and avoid jail time, which is where he garnered a huge following among the country-folk, who in turn show support for Yingluck, his sister.
Yingluck has been criticized for being Thaksin's puppet, allowing him to continue wielding power over the government even in exile, the AP reported.
Since becoming Prime Minister, Yingluck has had a difficult time keeping both the army and her opponents happy, the AP reported.
The final string for her opponents was a bill which was pushed as a reconciliation measure but would instead give legal amnesty to corrupt politicians, the AP reported. When Thaksin was included by name in the bill last minute, the public expressed their outrage and the bill was stopped.
Protesters have been increasing pressure on Yingluck since December and have even attacked her office at the Government House with slingshots and homemade rocket launchers, according to the AP.
In hopes of calming protesters, Yingluck proposed a meeting with her opponents and other groups to talk about postponing the Feb. 2 elections, according to Deputy Prime Minister Pongthep Thepkanchana, the AP reported.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban said, "you cannot mediate with this undertaking, you cannot compromise with this undertaking. In this undertaking, there's only win or lose ... today, we must cleanse Thailand," in response to the meeting invite, the AP reported.
According to the International Crisis Group think tank, the "scope for peaceful resolution is narrowing," as protesters refuse to compromise, the AP reported.
"If the sides can agree on the need to avoid violence and for a national dialogue built on a shared agenda, a solution might just possibly be found," the group said, according to the AP. "It is a slim reed on which to float hopes, but in Bangkok there is little else available."
