Massive Street Protests Against Thai Prime Minister

Thousands of protesters filled Bangkok's streets on Sunday, stating they will not rest until Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will resign from his position, being charged with corruption and abuse of power.

Nearly 10,000 people led by Thaksin's former political mentor and his organization, the "Dharma Army", made their way to the Government. This march culminates the large series of serious anti-government demonstrations triggered by Shinawatra family's $1.8 billion tax-free sale of the Shin Corporation to Singapore's Temasek Holdings in late January.

Chirmsak Pinthong, an opposition senator, told the large crowd: "Thaksin doesn't want to step down because he is afraid of only one thing - that his assets will be confiscated. But if Thaksin is as sincere as he says he is, he should let people investigate him."

Thaksin warned that the violence will not be tolerated, saying "protest leaders must be cautious and make good plans to control the mob. If violence or chaos occurs, state authorities will take legal action against anyone who violates the law."

The current prime minister dissolved the parliament on February 24 after a long month of protests. But his attempts to regain power and trust are doubted by the Democrat Party, the main opposition, alongside two other parties, which will boycott the elections.

In order to ease the tensions, a group of academics signed a petition toward the country's king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, asking for an interim government.