Leader of 1992 pro-democracy uprising joins calls for Thaksin's resignation

February 20, 2006

Major General Chamlong Srimuang, the leader of the 1992 pro-democracy movement that ended Thailand's last military junta, has joined the calls for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to resign.

Chamlong is expected to join the next anti-Thaksin rally, announced by Sondhi Limthongkul, in Sanam Luang (Royal Plaza) in Bangkok on February 26. Chamlong initially introduced the current PM to the political stage, making his stand against Thaksin all the more embarrassing for the Prime Minister.

The forthcoming rally is expected to have over 100,000 in attendance. The People's Alliance for Democracy is leading the affair with various academic and pressure groups all calling for the displacement of the Prime Minister.

The main thrust of calls for the PM to resign or be impeached are over regulation changes in the telecoms sector that are widely held to have benefitted Thaksin and his family. Changes permitting 49% foreign ownership in the telecoms sector had been implemented for only a few days prior to the Prime Minister's family netting over 70 billion baht from selling their stake in the Shin Corporation.