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A temporary truce in Thai protests

Tensions ease between police and anti-government demonstrators as country pauses to observe king’s birthday.

The mood has changed in Bangkok after police barricades were pulled down.
By Bijoyeta Das
Published On 4 Dec 2013

Protesters have joined Bangkok authorities to clean up the area around Thailand’s democracy monument, where tens of thousands of people have camped out during weeks of rallies against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The respite comes after police said they would no longer use force against demonstrators attempting to swarm government offices, following days of violence between stone-throwing mobs and police firing tear gas and rubber bullets. In response to the police overture, demonstrators presented officers with flowers.

The temporary truce coincides with the 86th birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on Thursday, a date normally observed with a spirit of calm and reverence for the country’s monarch. 

However, anti-government demonstrators – who maintain they have won a battle – say the larger war is still on.

Groups of protesters dance at their campsites.
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Sweepers begin cleaning the streets in preparation for the King’s 86th birthday on Thursday.
A protester steps on a banner featuring Bangkok(***)s police commissioner.
A child examines a burnt-out police patrol car.
A number of burned vehicles surround the government house, where violence erupted over the weekend.
Police officers rest, saying they are relieved to go home after days of tense surveillance.
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The mood is festive, with protesters saying they scored a victory as police barricades are pulled away.
An anti-government demonstrator holds rubber bullets found on the streets around the government house.
Police officers cordon off some areas where police vehicles were burned.
Bangkok residents pose for pictures among litter at a protest site.
The police headquarters, a major flashpoint in the conflict, now appears calm after police and demonstrators exchanged flowers.