BANGKOK — The leader of Thailand’s anti-government protests said unexpectedly that he had met the prime minister Sunday after day-long clashes between his supporters and police but told her that he would accept nothing less than having her elected government step down.
Suthep Thaugsuban said the meeting with Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra was held under the auspices of the military, which says it is neutral in the conflict. His account of defiance drew lusty cheers from his supporters.
Police throughout the day fought off rock-throwing protesters who tried to battle their way into the government’s heavily-fortified headquarters and other offices. Mobs also besieged television stations, demanding they broadcast the protesters’ views. Several of the capital’s biggest shopping malls closed due to the unrest.
With skirmishes around Yingluck’s office at Government House continuing as darkness fell, the government advised Bangkok residents to stay indoors overnight for their safety.
The protests have renewed fears of prolonged instability in one of Southeast Asia’s biggest economies. Sunday marked the first time police have used force since demonstrations began in earnest a week ago.
At least three people were killed and 103 injured in skirmishes over the weekend, according to police and the state’s emergency medical services.
The deaths occurred at a Bangkok stadium where the body of one protester shot in the chest lay faceup on the ground.
Suthep insisted to his supporters that the meeting with Yingluck did not constitute negotiations. The protesters had dubbed Sunday “victory day” but failed to attain their main stated goal of taking over the prime minister’s offices, despite engaging in pitched street battles. Yingluck’s government has gone to painstaking lengths to avoid using deadly force.
“I only came to tell Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra that right now, people all over Thailand have stood up to show their ownership of Thailand,” Suthep said.
He told followers it would take another two days for their goal to be reached. He earlier called for all public servants to take Monday off.
Government spokesman Teerat Ratanasevi said Yingluck was not expected to make a statement Sunday night. She did not appear in public, and her aides said she was in a safe place.
