Lawmakers Forced to flee on ladders over a back wall, evacuate by helicopter

[happy_liberal]

BANGKOK — Thailand's beleaguered prime minister declared a state of emergency Wednesday to quell weeks of paralyzing protests costing businesses tens of millions of dollars. But the demonstrators championing the rights of the rural poor remained uncowed, and it was unclear if the showdown can end without violence.

The move by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva came after mostly peaceful protests turned chaotic when demonstrators burst into parliament and forced lawmakers to flee on ladders over a back wall, with senior officials hastily evacuated by helicopter.

Wednesday's chaos was a continuation of the long-running battle between partisans of the country's former leader — Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a 2006 military coup — and those who oppose him. Thaksin was accused of corruption and showing disrespect to the country's revered monarch.

The demonstrators, called the Red Shirts for the attire they wear, benefited from Thaksin's populist policies such as cheap health care and village loans.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g3j-vAVG1fg3kEfnogTiH8_4EXvwD9EUDPR00

[happy_liberal]

1. so they had health care and cheap loans, things were going good...

why would this former leader be ousted by a military coup....and who backed the military coup I wonder....

"A Black Hawk helicopter carrying five soldiers armed with M-16 rifles was deployed to fly ministers and lawmakers to safety."

[happy_liberal]

2. !

:applause: