Six months of anti-government protests in Thailand: Timeline

[webfact]

Six months of anti-government protests in Thailand

BANGKOK, May 7, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from office for abuse of power on Wednesday, a ruling that threatens to unleash a new wave of unrest.

This is a timeline of the political crisis since demonstrations aimed at toppling her government began more than six months ago:

October 31: Protests break out against an amnesty bill which critics said was aimed at allowing exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra -- Yingluck's brother -- to return home without going to jail for a corruption conviction.

November 1: The lower house of parliament, which is dominated by the ruling party, votes in favour of the bill.

November 11: Amid growing outrage on the streets, the upper house overwhelmingly rejects the legislation.

November 25: Opposition supporters march on state buildings, occupying the finance ministry.

November 26: Protesters besiege several ministries while police issue an arrest warrant for rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban.

November 30: Opposition demonstrators attack a bus carrying government supporters. Several people are killed and dozens wounded in street violence.

December 1: Police use water cannon and tear gas on protesters who storm the government and police headquarters.

December 8: Opposition lawmakers resign en masse from parliament.

December 9: Yingluck calls early elections. Opposition later announces boycott.

December 22: Protesters stage massive anti-government rally in Bangkok. Police say 150,000 attend but organisers insist the number is much higher.

December 26: The government rejects a call from the Election Commission to postpone the ballot after violent clashes.

December 27: The army chief refuses to rule out a coup, saying "anything can happen".

December 28: An unknown gunman kills one protester and wounds several others -- the start of a series of drive-by shootings targeting demonstrators.

January 13: Tens of thousands of protesters occupy major streets in an attempt to "shut down" Bangkok.

January 16: Anti-corruption authorities probe possible negligence of duty by Yingluck over a controversial rice subsidy scheme.

January 17: A grenade wounds dozens at an opposition march, the first of several blasts targeting the rallies. One of the injured later dies.

January 21: Government declares a 60-day state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas.

January 26: A protest leader is shot dead while giving a speech, as fellow demonstrators disrupt advance voting for the election.

February 1: A daylight gun battle shakes Bangkok as pro- and anti-government protesters clash.

February 2: Demonstrators prevent 10,000 polling stations from opening for the election, affecting several million people.

February 11: The election commission says election re-runs will be held on April 27 in constituencies where voting was obstructed.

February 14: Thousands of riot police are deployed in Bangkok to reclaim government buildings surrounded by demonstrators.

February 18: Five killed in clashes during police operation to dislodge protesters.

February 19: Court bans use of force against protesters.

February 23: Two children killed in grenade attack during protests in central Bangkok.

March 1: Demonstrators lift blockade of Bangkok.

March 18: State of emergency lifted in Bangkok.

March 21: Constitutional Court annuls February elections.

April 30: Government announces new elections for July 20.

May 7: Constitutional Court removes Yingluck and several cabinet ministers from office.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-07

[3NUMBAS]

voters robbed again by the criminal elites ,another silent coup has taken place

[TVGerry]

Justice served.

Government appointees shouldn't be made to benefit relatives. Doesn't matter if people voted for you or not.

[rubl]

voters robbed again by the criminal elites ,another silent coup has taken place

Totally agree, the Shinawatra mentality of "respect your vote till it's counted" is really demeaning towards voters.

The silent coup though I cannot place unless you're referring to the 700++ billion mislaid in the rice price pledging scheme.

[toonsai]

The timeline forgets to mention the 35 times Mr. Suthep announced the final day, the last battle and the end of Yingluck...

[CiaranO]

and i am sure six months from now the timeline will be still saying the same thing.

[ChrisY1]

voters robbed again by the criminal elites ,another silent coup has taken place

Who cares....she and her group of crooks and relatives can now have a 5 year well "earned" break....or worse hopefully......!!

[love1012]

voters robbed again by the criminal elites ,another silent coup has taken place

Yeah thats right - forget her crimes shes been electeddddd.................bye Yingluck - dont let the door hit you in the bum on the way out!!!!!!!!!!!!..............

[marko kok prong]

But won't it end on the 14th,with the mother of all final pushes.

[3NUMBAS]

suthpes thugs have won the day with the aid of the puppet courts

[FangFerang]

voters robbed again by the criminal elites ,another silent coup has taken place

Totally agree, the Shinawatra mentality of "respect your vote till it's counted" is really demeaning towards voters.

The silent coup though I cannot place unless you're referring to the 700++ billion mislaid in the rice price pledging scheme.

Wah---you are winghing

[rreddin]

suthpes thugs have won the day with the aid of the puppet courts

A time line is a pointless exercise unless it is coupled with critical comment, which, in this case, it is not. Suthep's greatly reduced mob are now camped in one small area of Bangkok and the caretaker government are still in power. Nothing of any real value has been achievedby the PRDC, nor will it be. All that has been achieved is negative.

[Skywalker69]

suthpes thugs have won the day with the aid of the puppet courts

To get rid of a puppet PM.

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